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Photographic 
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Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)  873-4503 


0 


i/.. 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  c( 
to  the 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


n 


n 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  inl<  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6x6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6td  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 

D 
El 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6X6  film^es  6  nouveau  de  fapon  6 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The  in 
possit 
of  the 
filmini 


Origin 
begini 
the  la; 
sion,  < 
other 
first  p 
sion,  ) 
or  illui 


The  la 
shall  < 
TINUi 
which 

Maps, 
diffen 
entire 
begini 
right  j 
requir 
meth( 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


7 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Plant  Research  Library 
Agriculture  Canada 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rositd  de: 

Bibliothdque  de  recherches  sur  les  vigitaux 
Agriculture  Canada 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6td  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim^e  sont  fiimds  en  commandant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  §tre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1  2  3 

4  5  6 


32X 


1 


THE  XIIRTH  AMERICAX 


-i 


1 

1 


r 


\ 


i 
1 


THE 


NORTH  AMERICAN 


S  Y  L  V  A. 


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, 


NORTJI  vVMERTCAN  SYLVA 


oa 


A  DESClllTTION   01^'   THE  EOllEST  TllEES 


OK   TIIK 


UNITED  STATES,  CANADA,  AND  NOVA  SCOTIA, 

«  n.NSIDKRi:!)    I'AliTIcri.Alil.V  WITH   IIKSPITT  TO  TIIKIIl  i;SK  IN  TIIK  AllTS 
AND  TIIKIlt   INTItODl.'CTION  INTO  COM.MIOUCK  J 

TO  WHICH  IS  ai)1)[:d 
A  DKSCIMI'TION  01' 'J'tlli  MOST    rSKFULOI." 

T  1 1  10     E  l;  U  O  1'  |.;  A  N      F  O  II  E  S  T     T  R  E  V.  S. 
ll-r,llc«TI{ATED  UY  IJil  COLOURED  E\(iKAVINUS. 


TIlANSLATliD    FROM  TIIK  I'RENCH    OF 

l\  ANDllEAV  MICIIAUX, 

.\ll..Ml;i:ii    Ul-    THE  I'lUI.OSOI'llICAI.  SUCIIiTV  OP    I'llILADUM'IIlA    in'O.  liTl'. 


WITH  NOTES  Ijy  J.  JAY  SMITH, 

MUMiiiiii   oi-'   Tiin   ai:aiii;.mv    oi-  N.-Tn:Ai.   SI-IENCUS,  liTC, 

IN  THREE  VC'/MES. 
AOL.  [. 


ROBEPvT   1'.  SMITH,   PHI  L  A  I)  E  LIMII  A 
CI.  P.  PUTNAM,   NEW    YORK. 

1850. 

LIBPARY 

PLANT  RESE.MaCH  INSTITUTE 

RLSl^ARCrl  DiUNCH 


fintcrrd  iirrordiiifr  io  tl.r  Act  of  Confjrcsfl,  in  llic  ynir  ISoO,  l,y  Ropkht  V.  Svim,  in  tin 
CIcrk'H  Ullico  of  tlic  District  Cuurt  fur  the  Euatu'ii  District  uf  IVansylvunia. 


KiTK  &  Waltun, 
I'i'iliturs. 


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0 

9 

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Smith,  in  llic 


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W? 


SAMUEL  fiEORGE  MOrvTON/M.  D., 

I'iii;sii»i:nt    oi'   tui:;   ai'ADUmy    of    NATiuAf,    sciences,   1'iiji,ai>i;i,1'1iia, 
THIS    EDITION 

Of 

MICIIAUX'S  NORTH  AMERICAN  SYLVA, 

IS  AFFECTIONATELY  IN'SCRIDED 

HIS  FRIEND    AND  BROTHER, 

J.  JAY  SMITH. 


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r  K  M  V  A  C  I'!. 


I 


'I'liF.  foundiilion  of  tho  Nortli  Aiiiuriciiii  Sylva,  was  laid  by  the  labo- 
rious icsoaiclios  of  the  elder  iMichaiix  ;  who,  under  the  auspices  of  tho 
French  government,  devoted  ten  years,  from  ITS,")  to  ITiU),  to  a  thoroutjh 
exploration  of  the  country,  from  tho  sunny  s>ib-tropical  proves  of  Florida,  to 
the  cold  and  iidiospitahle  shores  of  Hudson's  I?ay ;  repeatedly  visitiiin;  all 
the  hit^her  peaks  and  deepest  recesses  of  the  Aile<;haiiy  .MouMtains,  and 
extendinji;  his  toilsome  journeys  westward  to  the  prairii's  of  Illinois,  and  the 
banks  of  the  Mississippi.  He  proposed  to  Mr.  Jellerson,  then  Sierelary  of 
State,  to  extend  his  researches  to  Oregon,  but  was  pievented  from  doing 
so  by  untoward  circumstances. 

Soon  after  his  return  to  France,  ami  the  year  before  he  fell  a  victim  to 
scientific  zeal  upon  the  coast  of  MathiL;ascar,  the  elder  Micliaux  published 
his  history  of  North  American  Oaks,  which  may  be  deemed  the  nucleus  of 
this  more  comprehensive  work,  sidjsecpiently  issued  by  his  son,  who  accom- 
l)anied  his  father  in  the  earlier  portions  of  his  travi'ls.  llevisiling  this  eoini- 
try  in  ISOl,  and  ai^ain  in  1S()7,  the  son  made  the  extended  and  toilsome 
researches  of  which  these  volumes  are  tlje  result ;  they  were  lirst  published 
iji  Paris,  in  1810—13. 

They  were  translated  into  English  by  Hillhousc,  and  printed  in  Paris  with 
French  types,  in  IS  19.  This  edition  has  been  long  since  exhausted  ;  the 
second  Fnglish  edition  was  produced  at  New  Harmony,  Imliana,  but  was 
carelessly  executed  on  very  inferior  paper,  though  like  the  present  the  engravings 
were  printed  from  the  original  copperplates  partly  engraved  by  the  celebrated 
Redoute,  which  had  been  brought  from  Paris  by  the  liberal  friend  of  educa- 
tion and  science,  the  late  William  M'Clure,  with  a  view  of  making  the  work 
more  generally  known  among  the  American  people  ;  his  brother  and  execu- 
tor, Alexander  M'Clure,  Esq.,  of  New  Harmony,  still  keeping  in  view  the 
future  utility  to  the  community  of  these  expensive  engravings,  presented  them 
to  my  brotiier-in-law.  Dr.  Samuel  (leorge  Morton,  at  present  the  successor  of 
William  M'Clure  in  the  Presidency  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  at 


Mil 


I'iiiii'A  ('  i:. 


riiilatk'lplii;i,  wlio  luis  placed  thom,  williout   chnrf^'c,  at   llio,    -Trvicc   n{    i|h- 
publislior. 

Ill  i)a.s.siiiij;  tliis  rdilioii  lliinuL;,li  the  pross,  I  liavo  not:  IIioml!;1iI  it  a(lvisal)li; 
to  make  cvteiisivL-  altoiatioiis  in  tlie  text,  but  liave  left  it,  wilii  some  coitch;- 
lions  ill  the  tiaiislalioii,  as  it  was  wiitlcn  by  its  distiiijjjiiislu'd  author,  addint;;  a 
few  obsorvatioiis  on  soil,  pio[)aij,alioii,vSL,c.,  «Scc.  'i'hL'Si-  additions  may  always 
bo  distinguished  by  their  being  enclosed  in  braelcets.  For  corrections  of 
IlilUiouse's  translation,  and  in  other  particulars,  [  cannot  but  acknowledge 
my  great  iiidel)ledness  to  my  li'iend  Thomas  Forrest  Button,  M.  D.  of  Ger- 
mantown,  Pennsylvania. 

An  improvement  in  the  work  would  have  consisted  in  rearranging  the  plate:^ 
according  to  the  demands  of  modern  Science  and  nomenclature,  but  tliis 
would  have  recjuired  the  rcnumljering  of  them,  and  thus  all  the  numerous 
I'eferences  to  these  in  other  books,  would  have  been  erroneous  and  confused. 

It  was  a  singular  circumstance,  and  a  happy  one  it  lias  proved  for  advanc- 
ing science,  that  Mr.  Nuttall  arrived  in  this  country  the  very  year  that  tlu; 
younger  Michaux  left  it.  From  that  lime  he  devoted  his  talents  to  Hotany, 
and  after  visiting  a  large  portion  of  the  United  States,  with  an  aptitude  for 
observation,  a  (piickncss  of  eye,  tact  in  discrimination,  and  tenacity  of 
memory,  riirely  possessed  by  one  man,  he  pul)lished  his  extended,  and  most 
happily  executed  botanical  work,  the  "  (ienera  of  North  American  plants," 
In  1834  he  crossed  t'ue  Rocky  mountains,  and  explored  the  territory  of  Ore- 
gon and  Upper  Calilbrnia.  With  his  peculiar  qualifications,  he  prepared  the 
supplement  to  INIichaux's  Sylva,  in  three  handsome  volumes,  corresponding  iu 
size  with  the  present,  the  publication  of  which  after  many  delays,  was  com- 
pleted in  1849,  by  my  son,  in  Philadelphia.  The  two  works  are  now  one 
and  homogeneous,  the  former  most  highly  valued  by  all  lovers  of  trees,  and 
the  latter  destined  to  be  equally  so,  when  the  fine  products  of  our  newly 
acquired  western  regions  make  their  way  to  our  gardens  and  plantations. 
The  frequent  references  I  have  made  to  Mr.  Nuttall's  volumes,  will  show  the 
reader  that  his  additions  to  our  Sylva,  arc  both  extensive  and  important ; 
inspection  will  convince  him  that  both  authors  stand  on  the  highest  pedestal 
of  iiicril. 

J.  JAY  SMITH. 

Pliiladelpliia,  February,  1850. 


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NOR  T  11    iV  M  E  11  1  c;  A  N 


S  Y  1.  Y  A. 


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1 

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0  A  K  S, 

I.v  the  i;rcali'r  part  of  North  America,  ns  well  as  in  Europe,  tliore  is  no 
tree  so  oeiiernlly  useful  as  the  Oalc.  It  is  every  where  the  most  highly 
esteemed  in  tiie  construe! ion  of  houses  and  of  vessels,  and  is  commonly 
f-elected  for  imi)lenients  of  husbandry.  It  seems,  also,  to  have  been  mul- 
tiplied by  nature  in  proportion  lo  lis  utility.  Without  insisting' upon  the 
diversity  of  climates  to  which  it  is  indii;'enous,  we  niav  oliserve  that  the 
number  of  its  known  species  is  already  considerable  and  is  daily  increasins;-, 
particularly  on  the  Western  Continent,  and  that  its  varieties  are  inllnite. 
These  considerations  determined  my  father,  in  ISOl,  alter  his  retin-ri  tVom 
the  United  States,  to  publish  a  Treatise  containing-  diawin^s  and  descrip- 
tions of  the  Oaks  of  that  country,  which  was  favourably  received  by  the 
lovers  of  botany  and  ai^riculture. 

The  following  extract  from  his  work  exhibits  a  just  outline  of  this 
tree  :  "  The  genus  of  the  Oaks  (Introihict.  p.  4,)  comprises  many  unknown 
species;  most  of  those  which  grow  in  America  exhibit  such  various 
forms  while  }Oung,that  they  can  be  ascertained  with  certainty  only  when 
arrived  at  matnrer  years.  Often  an  intermediate  variety  so  nearly  resem- 
bles two  species,  that  it  is  dilhcnlt  to  determine,  from  the  foliage,  to 
which  of  them  it  belongs.  Some  species  are  so  variable,  that  it  is  impos- 
sible, by  the  leaves,  to  recognize  their  identity  in  youth  and  at  a  more 
advanced  age.      Others  are  so  simihn,  that   specific  cliaracters   must  bo 


I         ! 


I   I 


O  A  K  S. 


(lerived  liom  tlio  friictificalion,  which  is  itself  liable  to  variations  and 
exceptions.  It  is  only  by  a  comparison  of  stocks  of  diU'erent  at^es  tliat 
analogous  species  can  be  distinyuishetl,  and  varieties  correctly  relerred  to 
tlie'ir  species. 

"  I  have  endeavoured  to  arrange  the  Ameiican  Oaks  in  a  natural  scries, 
the  characleis  of  which  1  llrsl  songiit  in  the  fructification:  but  this  allbrded 
oidy  unirnpoiiaiit  disiinctions,  such  as  the  position  of  the  barren  (lowers, 
whether  pedunculated  or  nearly  sessile,  and  the  size  and  period  of  tlic 
fruit.  Neither  was  I  able  to  found  my  distinction  on  the  structure  of  the 
cup:  I  was  oldiged  therefore  to  have  recourse  to  the  foliage,  which  has 
been  made  the  basis  of  a  division  into  two  sections,  the  first  containing 
the  sjiecies  with  beardless  leaves,  and  the  second,  those  in  which  the 
summit  or  lobes  are  terminated  I)y  a  bristle. 

"  'The  interval  between  the  appearance  of  the  flower  and  the  maturity  of 
the  fruit  is  dillerent  in  dillerent  species ;  and  this  distinction  I  have  admit- 
ted as  a  secondary  character. 

"  All  the  Oaks  are  proved  to  be  monecious.  We  know,  too,  that  on 
tiie  I'.uropean  White  Oak  and  other  species  the  female  llowers  are  silualcil 
above  the  male  u.pon  the  shoots  of  the  same  season  ;  that  both  arc  axillaiy  ; 
and  that,  immediately  after  the  fecundation,  the  male  llowers  fade  and  fall, 
while  the  female  blossom  continues  advancing  through  the  natural  stages, 
till,  in  the  course  of  the  year,  it  ripens  into  perfect  fruit,  liut  there  are 
some  species  whose  fertile  llowers  remain  stationary  a  whole  year,  and 
begin  to  develop  their  germ  the  second  spring,  piobably  because  they 
are  not  fecundated  the  first  season  ;  so  that  eighteen  months  elapse 
between  the  ap[)earance  of  the  (lower  and  the  nuiturity  of  the  fruit.  Hence 
I  have  formed  a  subdivision  into  species  of  annual  and  specie  s  of  bren- 
nial  fructification.  The  female  llower  which  is  axillary  the  first  season, 
ceases  to  be  so,  of  course,  at  the  falling  of  thi;  leaf.  Several  species  are 
found  upon  the  Old  Continent  whose  fructification  is  biennial,  such  as  the 
Cork  Oak,  Qurrcus  siiher,  etc." 

I  have  derived  great  assistance  from  my  father's  work,  and  have 
adopted  his  arrangement,  which  perfectly  accords  with  my  own  obser- 
vations. J^ut  I  have  inserted  several  new  species,  and  have  suppressed 
two  that  were  not  well  ascertained:  the  existence  of  one  of  them  is 
doubtful,  and   the  other  is  evidently  a  duplicate. 

The  chief  distinction  between  my  work  and  his  consists  in  the  more 
extended  practical  observations ;  which  are  the  fruit  of  my  own  resear- 
ches. My  constant  aim  was  to  appreciate  the  utility  of  each  sjiecies  in 
the  mechanical  arts,  and  to  point  out  those  which  are  the  most  deserving 
of  attention  in  Europe  and  America.  If  in  this  respect  mine  has  .some 
advantage,  my  father's  work  will  always  preserve  its  title  to  the  attention 
of  botanists  and  amateurs  of  foreign  plants,  by  other  details  not  consistent 


■ 


( )  A  K  S. 


:j 


iatioiis  and 
it  ajTcs  that 
•  rt'l'cncd  to 

tiiral  scries, 
Ills  allbrded 
rcii  (lowiTS, 
riod  of  the 
ctiire  of  tlio 
which  has 
:  containinfi; 
,  \vhi(;h  the 

maturity  of 
lave  ailiuit- 

loo,  tliat  on 

[U'c  siiiiaU'il 

re  axillary  ; 

fie  and  I'all, 

uial  stages, 

t  there  are 

year,  and 

cause   tlicy 

itlis    ela[)se 

it.     Hence 

s  of  bren- 

st  season, 

lecies  are 

uch  as  the 

and  have 

\vn    oljser- 

uppresscd 

tlieni   is 

the  more 
,vn  resear- 
speoies  in 
deserving 
las  some 
attention 
consistent 


^ 


1 


I 


wilii  mv  phm.  'Ih.'ywill  liml  lor  example,  (jiiniarKMis  Immall  llic  au!lmi'> 
Avlio  had  previoii-<ly  taken  nolice  of  the  sjucies  lie  descrilx's,  and  in  the 
plale*;,  leaves  of  llie  yoiKi:;  plant  as  well  as  C/f  the  full-grown  tree. 

I  iiave  (les(.'riijed  tweiily-si.x  American  si)eci(  s,  whicii  I  have  divided 
into  two  sections,  accordin'j,' to  the  term  of  fiuclillcation  ;  the  first  com- 
prising ten  species  that  bear  fruit  every  year ;  and  the  second,  sixteen, 
of  which  the  iVuclificalion  is  biennial.  I  have  learmtd  by  miilliplietl 
observations  that,  with  the  exception  of  tlie  J.ive  Oak,  the  wood  of  the 
iix^'^  section  is  of  a  finer  texture,  more  compact,  and  consctpiently  more 
durable. 

Linnicus,  in  the  third  edition  of  his  Sjwcifs  P!tnit<irtim,  published  in 
177-1,  described  tourteen  species  of  Oak,  of  which  live  only  are  natives 
of  the  New  Worlil.  Since  that  period  such  additions  have  been  made  to 
the  list,  that  the  new  edition  of  WiUdenow's  ^pi'cics  I'/ditldrui/i,  \)u\)- 
lished  in  1S()."J,  contains  forty-four  American  species;  of  which  sixteen 
were  recognized  by  Messrs.  Humboldt  and  Boiipland  in  Old  Mexico,  and 
twenty-six  by  my  father  and  myself  in  the  United  States  and  the  adjacent 
countries.  Probably  the  American  series  will  be  still  farther  augmented  by 
discoveries  in  the  western  part  of  Louisiana,  and  in  the  interior  provinccjs 
of  New  Spain,  a  country  I'JOO  miles  in  extent,  lying  between  the  I'luted 
Slates  and  Old  Mexico,  which  no  naturalist  has  explored. 

In  America,  as  we  have  just  observed,  are  found  forty-four  species, 
which  are  all  comprised  between  the  20th  and  ISth  degrees  of  north  lati- 
tude ;  on  the  Old  Continent,  are  enumerated  only  thirty,  which  arc  scat- 
tered on  l)oth  sides  of  the  eipiator,  beginning  at  the  GOth  degree  north. 

This  sketch  is  not  without  utility,  and  ai)pears  naturally  in  this  place  ; 
.such  parallels  might  perhaps  contribute  more  than  is  generally  thought  to 
the  progress  of  botany  and  agriculture,  and  they  deserve  particular  atten- 
tion from  naturalists  travelling  in  foreign  countries.  It  would  be  interest- 
ing to  possess  comparative  tables  of  tliose  plants  wdiich  are  found  in  the 
higher  latitudes  of  boUi  Continents,  and  of  the  trees  and  shrubs  of  the 
((■mperate  climates  of  America  with  the  analogous  species  found  in  nearly 
the  same  latitude  in  Asia.  I  have  long  entertained  a  wish,  which  will 
doubtless  be  shared  by  all  who  interest  themselves  in  the  science,  that 
botanists  would  go  more  deeply  into  the  geography  of  plants.  The  rapid 
progress  of  the  young  Americans  who  are  beginning  to  devote  themselves 
with  ardour  to  the  study  of  Natural  History,  will  soon  airord  the  requisite 
information  concerning  their  own  portion  of  the  globe. 

[For  a  continuation  of  the  subject,  and  forfuither  interesting  particulars 
respecting  the  oaks,  see  Nuttall's  Supplement  to  this  work,  vol.  I.  p.  1,  ct 
se(/.  Six  new  species  are  there  figured,  with  additional  information 
regarding  several  treated  of  by  Michaux. 


^ 


()  A  KS. 


Soil.  S'lluiiHuii  iiiul  C/iiiKilc.  ']"lu'  Oaks,  to  allaiii  tlicir  fiiH  s'v/.i',  irciuin' 
a  deep,  loainy  soil,  a  siliialion  low,  laliiiT  than  cleviilecl,  and  a  climalc 
not  lialdc  to  late  sprin;^  frosts,  •which  injiiix'  both  the  blossoms  and  leaves. 
In  elevated  situations,  or  in  the  extreme  north,  those  speeies  whieh  under 
f'avoiiralde  cireumstances,  form  the  most  magnificent  trees  become,  as  in 
the  ease  of  other  trees,  mere  shrubs.  'J'he  Oaks  which  flourish  on  the  worst 
soils  are  the  low-fn'owimx  kinds  belnn^iiiL,'  to  the  section  Ilex,  and  espe- 
cially those  beloni;inn'  to  the  group  Phellos  ;  and  those  which  recjuire  the 
best  soil  are,  the  (^uercus  sessilillora,  the  Q.  cerris,  and  most  of  the  sorts 
composing  the  American  group  Uid)ra'. 

Prop(i:j;iition,  t'j-c.  The  Oak  is  propagated  with  didlculty  by  every  other 
mode  except  from  seed;  and  generally,  time  will  be  gained  when  the 
acorns  are  sown  where  the  plants  are  intended  finally  to  remain.  It  is  only, 
therefore,  where  peculiar  varieties  are  to  be  continued,  that  the  process  of 
grafting  is  resorted  to ;  and  the  mode  by  approach  is  almost  the  only  one 
that  is  certain  to  be  attended  with  success.  The  best  stock  for  grafting  on 
is  Q.  cerris,  on  which  some  sorts  may  be  successfully  budded. 

The  acorns  need  not  be  gathered  from  the  tree,  but  may  be  collected 
from  the  ground  immediately  after  they  have  diopped,  and  may  either  be 
sown  then,  or  kept  till  the  following  spring.  If  they  are  to  be  kept,  they 
should  be  niatle  perfectly  dry  in  the  sun,  or  in  an  airy  shed,  mixed  with 
dry  sand,  in  the  proportion  of  three  bushels  of  sand  to  one  of  acorns,  or 
with  dry  moss;  and  then  excluded  from  the  air  and  vermin,  by  being  put 
into  barrels  or  boxes,  or  laid  up  in  a  cellar,  or  buried  in  heaps  and  cov- 
ered with  a  suflicient  thickness  of  earth  to  exclude  the  weather.  When 
acoins  are  to  be  sown  in  a  nursery,  the  soil  ought  to  be  thoroughly  pre- 
pared and  rendered  fine  ;  and  after  the  earth  is  drawn  off  the  beds,  or  the 
drills  opened,  the  acorns  may  cither  be  scattered  over  the  beds,  or  along 
the  drills,  so  that  the  nuts  may  be  about  two  inches  apart.  The  acorns, 
before  covering,  must  be  patted  down  with  a  back  of  a  spade  in  the  beds, 
and  with  the  back  of  a  wooden-headed  rake  in  the  drills.  The  coverin'Tf, 
of  well  broken  soil,  should  vary  in  depth  according  to  the  size  of  the 
acorn,  I2  inches  b.-ing  enough  for  those  of  the  largest  size,  and  half 
an  inch  for  those  of  the  smallest  size.  No  mode  of  depositing  acorns  in 
the  soil  can  be  worse  than  that  of  dropping  them  in  holes  made  by  too 
.small  a  dibble.  The  acorn  drops  into  the  hole,  and  becomes  wedged  by 
its  sides  before  it  gets  to  the  bottom  ;  and  if  the  upper  extremity  should 
be  downwards  instead  of  upwards,  it  can  hardly  be  expected  to  grow. 
Sown  late  in  March,  the  period  between  the  depositing  the  acorn  and  its 
becoming  a  plant  is  lessened,  and  the  danger  from  destruction  by  vermin 
somewhat  diminished.  When  it  is  necessary  to  remove  the  plant,  the 
tap  root  should  first  be  shortened ;  side  pruning  is  soon  necessary,  when 
the  object  is  a  straight  clean  trunk. 


I)  A  Iv  S. 


1  ii  cliinate 
;ui(l  leaves. 
\'liicli  uihIci' 
cnmo,  ns  in 
111  tlie  worst 
,  and  L's\)v- 
1  riHiuiri'  tlie 
of  the  sorts 

•  cvoiy  otlicr 
d  when  tlio 
.  It  is  only, 
e  process  of 
the  only  one 
"■ral'linLT  on 

)e  collected 

lay  either  be 

e  kept,  they 

mixed  with 

:)f  acorns,  or 

y  hoin;^  put 

ps  and  cov- 

icr.     When 

on^hly  pre- 

jeds,  or  tlio 

s,  or  alonji' 

The  acorns, 

n  the  beds, 

le  covcrin;^, 

size  of  the 

and  half 

a;  acorns  in 

ade  by  too 

wed^rcd  by 

mity  should 

d   to  grow. 

orn  and  its 

by  vermin 

plant,   the 

sary,  when 


The  American  Oaks  vary  so  exceedin'j;ly  in  their  leaves  at  dilierent  sea- 
sons of  the  year,  in  dilierent  stages  of  tin  ir  i;rf)\vlh,  and  in  diil'erent  lueali- 
ties,  that  some  expi'iicnee  is  nceessary  in  de<'idinij;  on  lliein. 

Like  most  other  trees,  the  Oak  seldom  bears  an  abundant  crop  of  fruit 
for  two  years  in  suee>^-sinii,  and  it  increases  in  productiveness  with  a'^e. 
All  the  species  push  up  shoots  from  the  collar  when  rut  down,  but  oidv 
one  or  two  species  from  the  rdol.  Aftei'  oaks  have  stofxl  in  L';nfHl  soil,  and 
a  suitable  climate  for  five  or  six  years,  they  ii'row  wilh  rapidity  till  they  have 
attained  the  ai^e  of  30  or  10  years,  and  the  lil'e  of  some  species  is  known  to 
extend  to  upwards  of  1000  years. 

There  are  some  Oaks  in  Uritain  whiili  ar(!  believed  to  have  lieen  did 
trees  in  the  time  of  William  the  Conqui'ior ;  and  Plinv  nienlioiis  a  (^lercus 
Ilex  which  was  an  old  tree  when  Unnie  was  Ibunde'd,  and  v.hieh  was  siiU 
living  in  his  time.  The  Merton  Oak  measuics  at  the  surface  of  the 
ground  GM  feet  2   inches. — :lhriil<j;o,l  from  /jini/airs  .Ir/iorrhiiii. 

The  Cowthorpe  Oak,  in  York--liire,  iiiea.-.ures  sevenlv  ei'^ht  feet  In  cir- 
cumference near  the  gionnd.  and  its  ane  is  estimated  as  neailv  eneval  wi.h 
the  Christain  eia.  An  Oak  in  Jx)wer  C'haranle,  in  l-'rance,  is  declaivd  on 
good  authority,  to  measure  from  eiiihty-five  to  ninety-four  llel.  Dr.  Ur</i/, 
J\ort/t  .Imcricdn  Ni'ricv;  Jn/i/^  l^Stl. 

Particular  attention  should  be  u'iven  fo  the  reniailcs  of  the  aullior  on  the 
subject  of  planting  the  oak  f)r  fuiure  use.  Tlu:  (iineral  or  Slate  govi/rii- 
mcnts  should  never  giant  a  chaiier  I'ur  a  rail-road  or  canal,  without  a  clause 
ref[uiring  the  planting  of  useful  trees,  such  as  the  White  Oak  for  instance, 
along  both  sides  of  the  route.  A  store  of  sliip-tiiuber  would  thus  be  accu- 
mulating for  liatinnal  or  mercantile  servit'e,  whence  it  could  ea>ilv  be 
transported  to  the  sea-board  in  emergencies  ;  a  plan  which  would  shade  the 
road  and  be  advantageous  to  tin;  banks  of  a  canal.  The  Fii-nch  (govern- 
ment has  shown  a  wise  foresight  in  this  particular;  her  tni'iipikes  are  often 
thus  planted,  and  the  product  is  at  the  call  of  the  authorities.] 


7 


METHODICAL  DISPOSITION 
or 

THE   OAKS   OF  XOHTII  AMERICA, 

IXCLIIDIXO 

THREE    KUlfurilAN     SPECIES. 


JMunccia  puJi/anJria.  Tiix.v,     jlmoilaceci',  Ji;s,s. 
l'li;ST  DIVISIOX. 

Fiiirliticatitm  iiunual. — Lraves  hrardlrsg, 
FIRST  Sr.CTION. LcaVCS  lohlll. 


White  0;ik, 

Coininoii  Eurn]ican  Oak, 
Kuropraii  Wliite  Oak, 
]\Io.ssy-cui)  Oak, 
Ovoi-cup  Willie  Oak, 
Post  Oak,     . 
Ovor-cup  Oak, 


SKCOND  mvisio>f 


S. 

5). 
10. 
11. 
1-2. 


Swamp  White  Oak,     . 
Chesmit  Wliite  Oak,    . 
Rock  Chesnut  Oak,     . 
Yellow  Oak, 
Small  Chesnut  Oak, 


QKcron;  al/ia. 

Qiirrciis  rnhitr, 

Qiirrctis  rohtir  pr.ihmculnta. 

Qm  ram  olivn'forinis, 

(^Kerens  nidcrocarpa, 

Qiicrciis  ol)tusilohu. 

Qiicrcus  lyrula. 

-Leaves  Touthcd. 

Qutrats  pr'unts  discolor. 
Qucrcitfi  primis  pdlnstrin. 
Qutrcus prinns  monticota. 
(^itcmis  prinns  acimiinnla. 
Qucrcus  j^rinus  chincupin. 


SECOND  DIYTSIOX. 

Fntrtificalion  biennial ;  leaves  mucronated,  {except  in  llie  13t]i  species.) 
FiusT  SECTION'. — Lcttvcs  ohluse  or  entire. 


1.3. 
14. 

15. 


Live  Oak,  . 
Cork  Oak,  . 
Willow  Oak, 


Qucrcns  vircns. 
Qurrcus  stihcr. 
(iucrcKs  phcllos. 


CA, 


.ArETJlODrCAL    nrsposiTfoN,    i;t( 


17. 

IS. 


19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 


Laurel  Oiik, 

I  Upland  Wii'owOak, 

Ixiuuiin^'  Oak, 


Qiinrxs  imlmcariu. 
Qiin-cHs  ciiHi-ra, 
Qiurciis  jmmila. 


SI 


Dart  ram  Oak, 
WalerOak, 
Ulack  .Jack  Oak, 
Bear  Oak,    . 


I'.co.ND  SIX rioN. — Leaves  Lohcd. 

,         Qxcrms  hclcropJnillu. 
>  •  Qurrrufi  (Kjuittini. 

(^iirrcusfrrriininfa. 
,         (iuercus  Ixmhtcri, 


THIRD  si-.cTio.v.— 7,c«L'cs  muUifid  or  many  clrfled. 
23.  Barren  Scrub  Oak,      .  ,         Qnrrcus  calcsh^^i. 


21.   .Spanish  Oak, 
25.  Black  Oak, 
2(i.  Scarlet  Oak, 
27.   (ireyOak, 
2S.   Pin  Oak,     . 
29.  lied  Oak.    . 


QiirrcHsfalcdlu. 
(iucrciis  tinctor'ui. 
(i^itrrrits  cocchtca. 
Qiirrcus  itml>'rj;i(a, 
Qitcrcits  pdlustris. 
%tcrcm  rubra. 


lata. 


ri/a. 
nin. 


r  R  ] 


WUITK  OAK. 

CliiEriciis  Ai.nA.  (i.  foliis  suliii'ijtiulitry  jiiinKtli/idis  ;  /uiiiiiia  (ili/i)iiu.if,  ohtimis, 
]i/cri(ini/ii('  iiitr;^'crr!in!.s ;  J'nulu  imijuscido ;  ciijjiild  cnilcrula ;  liibricu- 
loao-ncubrald  ;   ghtndc  ovald, 

'I'liu'ifcuix  T  tlic  ljiiti<(l  States  iiiul  in  CaiKiihi,  tliis  lice  is  lciu)\vn  In'tlio 
iiaiiu"  ol'  117///''  Ihil;.  'J'ho  environs  ol  llii-  siiiall  town  ol'  Trais  liiciircs  in 
Crtiiiuhi,  lalitudi'  -K;  '  ■J()',iinil  tlic  lower  part  of  tlie  liver  Ju'iuielieek  in  lliu 
distriet  ol' Maine,  are  t!ie  most  northern  points  at  wliieli  it  was  observed 
l)y  my  tallier  and  myselt'.  Tlienec  we  tiaeed  it  alont;'  tlie  sea-sliore  to  a 
distance  beyond  ("ape  Canaveral,  latitude  28"',  and  westward  (iom  the 
Ocean  to  the  country  ol'  the  Illinois,  an  extent  of  more  than  I'JOO  miles 
from  north-east  to  south-west,  and  nearly  as  much  from  east  to  west.  It 
is,  however,  by  no  means  ecpially  dillused  over  this  vast  tract  ;  in  the 
District  of  .Maine,  Vermont  and  Lower  C'anad.i,  it  is  little  multiplied, 
and  its  vc;i;etalion  is  repressed  by  the  severity  of  the  winter.  In  the  lower 
part  of  the  Southern  Stales,  in  the  Floridas  and  Lower  Louisiana,  it  is 
found  only  on  tlie  l)orders  of  the  swamps  with  a  few  other  trees,  which 
liliewise  shun  a  dry  and  barren  soil.  This  re<;ion  is  generally  so  sandy, 
that  it  is  covered  with  a  contii\ued  £i;rowth  of  Pines,  as  will  be  more  par- 
ticularly mentioned  in  the  desc;ii)lion  of  the  Loni^-leaved  Pine.  The  White 
Oak  is  observed  also  to  be  uncommon  on  lands  of  extraordinary  lertility, 
likt!  those  of  Tennessee,  Jver.lucky  and  (Iiuiessee,  and  of  all  thi;  spacit)us 
valleys  watered  by  tlie  western  rivers,  I  have  travelled  whole  days  in 
tliose  States  without  seeinii;  a  single  stock,  thoui:;h  the  lew  that  exi.st,  both 
there  and  in  the  Southern  Stales,  exhibit  the  most  luxuriant  vegetation. 

The  Wliite  Oak  abounds  chieily  in  the  .Middle  States  and  in  N'irginia, 
jiarlictdaily  in  that  ]iail  of  i.'ennsyhania  and  \  ii'ginia  which  lies  between 
the  Alleghanies  and  the  Ohio,  a  distance  of  about  150  miles,  beginning  at 
Brownsville  on  the  Monongalula.  Near  Oreensburgh,  Macconelsville, 
L'nionville  and  Washington  Court-house,  I  have  seen  large  forests,  nine- 
tenths  of  which  consisted  of  While  Oaks,  whose  healthful  appearance 
evinced  the  favourable  nature  of  the  soil,  though  in  general  they  were 
not  more  than  fifteen  inches  in  diameter.  East  of  the  mountains,  this  tree 
is  found  in  every  exposure,  and  in  every  soil  which  is  not  extremely  dry, 
or  subject  to  long  inundations  ;  but  the  largest  stocks  grow  in  humid 
places.  In  the  western  districts,  where  it  composes  entire  forests,  the 
face  of  the  country  is  undulated,  and  the  yellow  soil,  consisting  partly  of 
clay  with  a  mixture  of  calcareous  stones,  yields  abundant  crops  of  wheat. 
J}y  the  foregoing  observations,  it  appears  that  the  severity  of  the  climate, 
the  fertility  of  the  soil,  its  dryness  or  humidity,  arc  the  causes  which  ren- 


f: 


Inoiii.f,  nhtii.ti.s, 
nitd  :    ItiOncu- 


known  by  the 

(;/,s'  liicitrcs  ill 
lUii'hi'C'lv  in  llie 
was  ohst'rvccl 
sua- si  10 re  to  a 
vard  from  the 
an  I'JUO  iiiih-s 
st  to  west.  It 
tract  ;  in  the 
tie  iriultiplioil, 
III  the  lower 
iOiiisiana,  it  is 
r  trees,  which 
rally  so  sandy, 

I  be  nioie  pur- 
,".  The  White 
tlinary  fertility, 

II  the  spacious 
vliole  days  in 
hat  exist,  both 
veL!;etalion. 

1(1  in  \'irL;iiiia, 
h  lies  between 
!,  bet;innin'^  at 
[acconelsville, 
L!  forests,  nine- 
ftd  appearance 
eral  they  were 
ilains,  this  tree 
extremely  dry, 
row  in  humid 
ire  forests,  the 
sting  partly  of 
■ops  of  wheat, 
of  the  climate, 
ics  which  ren- 


//  /'. 


While  Oak 


\ 


</i 


f 

f 

I 


/ 


u  II  in:  'lAK. 


I 


tlt-r  till'  Wlilli!  Oiik  so  rail' oviT  llint'  (|iiiiitiT«)  of  tin'  I'liifod  Stafi's  that 
it  is  iiiiuN'iinati;  to  siipjily  tlii'  IiiimI  ilciiiiiiid,  llioiiuli  llif  coiiiitrv  tlocs  not 
contain  II   loililli  of  tlie  |)ii|iMlali()ii  which  it  is  (Mijialiir  nl'  siiiipoitinf,'. 

;\m'»h!,i:  till  Aiuciiciiii  (mK-;,  ll  i  ■  >iii'('ii's  Ihmis  ihc  pronti-st  anal();;y  to 
tilt'  Kuiu|'-an  Diik,  »'>*|''  «"liilly  to  lln'  \iiiii'ly  (mIIkI  I'.uidpiMn  Wliilf  Oak, 
f^iii'yciis  fivihnit-uhiUt,  wlm  h  il  icsi'inlilfs  in  I'oli.iTr  and  in  llic  ii'ialitirs  nf 
Its  \\  1.  'I'lii,'  ♦  ificrnMn  NMiiii-  Oak  is  70  nr  NU  \<-v{  hi^'li,  ami  (»  nr  7 
Il'i'I  ill  Ui.iiii  'I<i';  l<tU  iis  iiiiijMOti'iiis  vai'v  uilh  liii'  m'iI  ami  rrmialc*  'Iho 
Icnvi's  art!  iiv;illaiiy  ami  oMiiiurly  diviiletl  inlo  oldoni^.  roiindcd  lolics, 
di'sfiliitL'  ol'  poinls;  the  sccliini'!  appeared  In  he  tlic  dfcpcst  in  the  most 
humid  soils.      Sdon  al'lir  tin  ir  luircildiu'j.',  tln'v  an-  rcddi-Ii  ahnvc  and  whi't! 

ami  downy  bi'malh  ;     whrn    fully  i^lown,  liny  air  si jiIi    and   of  a  lio;ht 

l^ii'i'ii  oil  till'  upper  siiilaee,  and  L^Iaiieous  uiideriiealli.  In  ihe  j'.dl  they 
chaiiLi;e  to  a  l)ii:;lil  violcl  eojoui,  and  form  an  n'j;ri'(.'alde  eoiiliast  with  the 
snrroiimlinii'  foliai^e  whieh  has  not  yet  siiil'i'ri'd  hy  the  Irosl. 

This  is  the  only  oak  on  whieh  a  lew  of  the  dried  havi's  persist  till  tin; 
cireiilatiiui  is  renewi'd  in  the  spiiiin'.  T.y  this  peeiiliaiily  ami  l>y  the  white- 
ness of  the  bark,  from  which  il  ileiives  its  name,  it  is  easily  distin'j,nislK'ii 
in  the  winter.  The  acorns  arc  of  an  oval  I'orni,  lar;,n',  very  sweet,  con- 
tained in  rouLj,h,  shallow,  Ljrayish  cups,  and  home  singly  w  in  pairs,  hy 
pediiiicdes  S  or  10  lines  in  leiindi,  aMaehed,  as  in  all  the  species  with 
annual  liiiclilicalion,  to  the  shoots  of  the  season. 

The  fruit  of  the  White  Oak  is  larely  ahumlant,  and  iVeipiently  for  several 
years  in  succession  a  few  hamlsful  of  acorns  coiihl  harilly  be  collected  in  a 
large  forest  where  the  tree  is  midliplied.  Some  stocks  produce  acorns  of 
a  deep  blue  ctdour ;  but  1  lia\'e  louml  (Uily  two  indications  of  this  \ariety, 
one  a  llourishiii^'  tree  in  the  earden  of  Mr.  \V.  llamillon,  [Now,  ISOU,  the 
^Vondlamls  Cemetery]  near  Philadelphia,  and  the  other  in  Virginia. 

The  trunk  is  clad  in  a  while  hark,  variej^'ated  frcipicntly  with  larj^e 
black  spots.  On  stocks  less  than  IC  inches  in  diameter,  the  eiiidermis  is 
divided  into  sipiares  ;  on  old  trees,  growing;  in  moist  rjrounils,  it  is  in  the 
form  of  plates  laterally  attached.  The  wood  is  reddish,  and  very  similar 
to  that  of  the  European  Oak,  thoiii^h  lie;liler  and  less  compact,  as  may 
Le  proved  by  splitting  billets  of  each  of  the  same  .size  ;  in  the  American 
species,  the  vessels  which  occupy  the  intervals  of  the  concentrical  circles 
are  visibly  less  replete.  But  of  all  the  American  Oaks  which  I  shall 
describe,  this  is  best  and  most  generally  nsed,  being  strong,  durable, 
and  of  large  dimensions.  It  is  less  employed  than  formerly  in  build- 
ing only  because  it  is  more  scarce  and  costly. 


1 


*  [In  ornamental  planlin^j,  ihe  White  Onli  shoulil  linvr  nliiindiint  space  nrniinfl  it  for  expand, 
iiig ;  under  such  circuinslunccs  il  will  throw  out  ionj;  liiubd  and  latLTui  Uuiichc:)  ul'  the  aiust 
picturesque  beauty.] 

2 


10 


VV  II I  T  E    0  A  K. 


At  Pliiliulelpliia,  naltimore,  and  in  llie  smaller  (owns  of  tlie  Mulille 
States,  tlio  frame  of  all  \vell-l)iiilt  houses,  whether  of  brieic  or  wood,  is  of 
White  Oak.  West  of  tlic  Alle^hanics,  where  J'iiK!  hoards  are  not  easily 
procured,  the  While  Oak  is  substituted  for  (ho  (loors  and  for  the  exterior 
covering  of  the  frame,  notwithstanding  its  liability  to  warp  and  split. 

It  is  much  used  in  the  construction  of  mills  and  dams,  particularly  for 
such  parts  as  are  exposed  to  be  alternately  wet  and  dry. 

The  wooden  bridge,  nearly  3000  feet  long,  that  unites  Boston  and  Cam- 
bridge, is  supported  by  posts  of  White  Oak,  from  14  to  50  feet  in  length, 
which  replaced  those  of  White  Pine,  on  which  it  originally  stood. 

Tlie  excellent  properties  of  this  wood  cause  it  to  be  preferred  for  a 
great  variety  of  uses,  among  which  are  many  articles  manufactured  by  the 
wheel-wright.  Tiiis  trade  is  carried  to  tlie  greatest  perfection  at  Philadel- 
phia, and  its  wares  are  highly  esteemed  for  solidity  both  at  home  and 
abroad.  White  Oak  perfectly  seasoned  is  employed  for  the  frame  of 
coaches,  wagons  and  sledges,  for  the  mould  board  of  ploughs,  the  teeth 
of  wooden  harrows,  the  fellies  and  spokes  of  wheels,  particularly  the 
spokes  of  coach-wheels.  In  the  Northern,  Middle  and  Western  States, 
the  naves  are  also  made  of  Oak,  in  the  country  ;  but  it  splits  too  easily  to 
be  proper  for  this  object.  Except  in  the  District  of  Maine,  it  is  always 
chosen  for  the  bow  or  circular  back  of  windsor-cdiairs.  The  wood  of  the 
young  stocks  is  very  elastic,  and  is  susceptible  of  minute  division,  hence 
it  is  preferred  for  the  large  baskets  used  in  liarvesting,  for  the  hoop  of 
sieves,  the  bottom  of  riddles,  and  the  handles  of  coach-whips,  which 
are  braided  and  covered  with  leather;  at  Boston,  it  is  chosen  for  pail- 
liandles,  and  in  Maine,  for  axe-helves. 

In  many  parts  of  the  Middle  States,  the  white  Oak  is  selected  for  tlie 
posts  of  rural  fences,  and  beyond  Laurel-llill,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is 
common,  it  forms  the  entire  enclosure. 

The  bark  is  considered  by  many  tanners  as  the  best  for  preparing  leather 
for  saddles  and  odier  sinular  objects  ;  it  is  little  iised  however,  because 
in  the  United  States  the  bark  of  the  trunk  and  large  limbs  only  is  employed  ; 
and  on  these  the  cellular  tissue  is  much  thinner  in  the  White  than 
in  the  Red  Oak,  which  is,  besides,  more  abundant. 

I  have  been  told  that  the  bark  yields  a  purple  dye.  Though  I  have  not 
witnessed  the  fact,  I  am  disposed  to  believe  in  its  existence,  as  I  received 
the  information  from  persons  residing  several  hundred  miles  from  each 
other.  But  if  the  colour  was  not  defective  in  permanence  or  intensity, 
it  would  have  found  its  way  into  commerce,  like  the  Quercitron  of  the 
Black  Oak. 

Of  all  the  species  that  grow  east  of  the  Mississippi,  the  White  Oak  alone 
furnishes  staves  fitted  for  containing  wine  and  spirituous  liquors.  The 
domestic  consumption  for  this  purpose  is  immense,  and  vast  quantities  are 


WiflTF:    OAK. 


Jl 


the  iMiiKlle 
•  wood,  is  of 
c  not  easily 
the  exterior 
(1  split, 
rliculaily  for 

)n  anil  Garn- 
et in  length, 
ood. 

iferred  for  a 
jtured  by  the 
1  at  Philadcl- 
\t  home  and 
the  frame  of 
;hs,  the  teeth 
rticularly  the 
astern  States, 
5  too  easily  to 
,  it  is  always 

wood  of  the 
vision,  hence 

the  hoop  of 
whips,  which 
)sen  for  pail- 

ected  for  the 
a,  where  it  is 


aring  leather 
ver,  because 
employed  ; 
White   than 


IS 


rli  I  have  not 

as  I  received 

■s  from  each 

or  intensity, 

citron  of  the 

ite  Oak  alone 
iquors.  Tlie 
quantities  are 


4 


exported  to  llie  Wist  Iiidios,  (Iioat  ruitaiti,  and  the  l>l;iiids  (jf  Madeira 
and  'J'enerido,  The  Post  Oak  mi!j;Iil,  imlofd,  be  ajiplied  to  the  same  use, 
but  evt-n  in  .Mars  land  and  \  ir^inia,  where  it  is  most  commuu,  il  is  not 
sulliclenlly  niulliplicd  to  supply  the  local  demand. 

Tin;  Uock  Chesnut  Oak  and  the  iSwainp  Wiiili;  0;ik  in  the  Northern 
and  Middle  Slates,  the  Ciic'Siiut  White  Oak  and  the  Ovor-cup  Oak  in  the 
South,  are  ('(uitpHi'L  enon:_:li  to  picvtnt  the  escape  ot'  spiriis  and  tine  oils, 
yet  porf)US  en(iii'j,ii  to  absorl)  liieni.  It'  they  unili'd  every  reipii.^ile  ipiaiits, 
and  were  employed  for  this  puiposc,  they  would  be  consumed  in  less  than 
ten  years, 

Il  is  well  understood  at  Bordeaux  that  the  wood  of  the  European  White 
Oak  is  closer  grained  than  that  of  the  American  species,  and  the  prelVr- 
euce  is  given  to  our  domestic  growth,  or  to  that  imported  from  Dantziidc. 
The  American  Oak  is  exclusively  employed  in  Madeira  and  the  West 
Indies,  only  because  it  is  cheaper  and  more  easily  prociu'ed. 

White  (Jak  staves  are  exported  from  all  the  parts  of  the  Northern  and 
jMiddle  States,  and  from  New  Orleans.  Those  which  come  from  Balti- 
more, Norlblk  and  New  Orleans,  are  I'ar  superioi'  to  those  of  the  Northern 
States  ;  the  dillerence  results  naturally  from  that  of  tlie  soil  and  clinuite. 

The  quantity  of  Oak  staves  exported  to  England  and  the  West  Indies 
appears,  by  two  oflicial  tlocuments  that  I  have  examined,  to  be  consider- 
able. In  1808,  the  value  received  by  England  amounted  to  more  tlian 
yl-lGjOOO,  and  the  number  of  slaves  sent  to  the  West  Indies  exceeded 
53,000,000.  I  am  unable  to  fix  the  proportion  o''  the  two  species  of  White 
anu  Red  Oak  ;  probably  more  of  the  first  are  sent  to  England,  and  of  the 
second  to  the  Colonies.  The  price  of  both  have  varied  surprisingly  within 
a  hundred  years  :  In  1720,  slaves  for  barrels  were  sold  at  Philadelphia  at 
$3  a  thousand  ;  in  1798,  at  .'*ilS  ;  and  in  iSlS,  at  $30.  In  August,  1807, 
before  the  American  Embargo,  they  were  advertised  at  $55,  and  in  Aj)ril 
1808,  after  that  municipal  regulation  became  known,  at  $100. 

The  young  White  Oak,  on  account  of  its  elasticity,  is  very  proper  for 
hoops,  but  it  has  less  strength  and  less  durability  than  the  Hickory. 

Among  the  uses  of  this  wood,  the  most  important  is  in  ship-building. 
In  all  the  dock-yards  of  the  northern  and  JNliddle  States,  except  in  the 
district  of  Maine,  it  is  almost  exclusively  employed  for  the  keel,  and 
always  for  the  lower  part  of  the  frame  and  the  sides  ;  it  is  preferred  for 
the  knees  when  sticks  of  a  proper  form  can  be  found.  In  the  smaller 
ports  south  of  New  York,  the  upper  part  of  the  fiame  is  also  of  Wliite 
Oak ;  but  such  vessels  are  less  esteemed  than  those  built  of  more  durable 
wood. 

At  Boston,  the  tree-nails,  or  the  pins  by  which  the  side  planks  are 
attached  to  the  ribs,  are  of  this  species. 

To  obtain  correct  notions  on  the  comparative  value  of   the  American 


I  1 


1-2 


W  il  I  l  !•:    ()  A  K. 


White  Oak  and  the  European  Oak,  I  consulted  French,  F'^ni'lish  and  Ame- 
rican ship-wrif^lits,  in  almost  all  the  ports  of  the  United  States  :  They 
generally  agreed  that  the  luiropeau  Oak  was  lon'j;lH'r  and  more  ilura- 
ble  tVom  the  superior  closeness  ol"  i!s  ^rain,  hut  that  the  American 
species  was  more  elastic  and  required  a  shorter  time,  wiUi  only  half 
the  weight  to  bend  it.  This  a(lvanlll^e,  though  important  in  ship- 
building, does  not  compensate  tor  the  openness  of  its  pores.  Experi- 
ence, however,  every  day  shows  that  by  growing  in  places  long  inhabi- 
ted its  quality  is  improved  ;  and  if  the  American  vessels  are  less  durable 
than  those  built  in  Europe,  it  is  because  the  timber  is  not  thoroughly  sea- 
soned. 

The  greater  part  of  the  immense  quantity  of  White  Oak  exported  from 
the  United  States  is  sent  to  Ei.giaiid.  It  is  shipped  fiom  the  Northern 
and  Middle  States,  in  the  form  of  boards  and  of  square  timber :  what 
goes  to  England  from  Quebec  is  brought  from  the  shores  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  for  Canada  probably  furnishes  hardly  enough  for  its  own  consump- 
tion. 

By  an  extract  from  the  custom-house  books  of  St.  John,  which  I  have 
already  quoted,  143,000  cubic  feet  of  Oak  would  appear  to  have  entered 
by  this  port  during  the  first  six  months  of  1807.  Oddy,  in  his  Treatise 
on  the  Commcrcii  af  Europe,  says,  that  in  the  English  dock-yards  the 
White  Oak  from  British  America  is  esteemed  excellent  timber.  The 
opinion  siinply  considered  is  correct  ;  but  that  which  comes  from  Balti- 
more and  Philailelphia  must  still  be  superior. 

Before  I  conclude  this  article,  I  must  be  allowed  to  hazard  a  conjec- 
ture on  the  consequences  of  the  neglect  of  all  means  of  preserving  and 
multiplying  this  tree  in  the  United  States;  consequences  which  neither 
the  federal  government  nor  the  States  have  taken  any  measures  to  pre- 
vent. From  the  increase  of  population,  and  from  the  impoverishment  of 
the  soil,  produced  by  a  gradual  change  in  the  climate,  the  White  Oak 
will  probably,  in  loss  than  fifty  years,  be  the  most  rare  in  the  Middle 
States,  where  it  is  now  the  most  abundant,  and  in  Tennessee,  Kentucky, 
Genessee,  and  further  north,  where  it  is  the  least  multiplied,  it  w^ill  be  the 
most  common,  and  will  replace  tlie  species  which  now  compose  the  forests, 
but  which  the  soil  will  then  be  loo  feeble  to  sustain.  Thus  near  the  river 
Kennebeck,  in  the  midst  of  the  primitive  forests,  composed  of  the  Beeches, 
the  Canoe  Birch,  the  Sugar  Maple  and  the  Hemlock  Sj)ruce,  I  have 
observed  small  tracts,  formerly  cleared  and  since  abandoned,  which  are 
naturally  repcopled  with  the  White  and  Gray  Oaks  ;  and  in_the  lower  part  of 
Virginia,  poor  Red  Oaks,  Yellow  Pines  and  Loblolly  Pines  are  extensively 
replacing  trees  of  a  better  qualify,  .l-last  of  the  mountains,  the  valleys 
that  lie  along  the  livers  are,  with  a  few  excej)!ioiis,  the  oidy  phiccs  where 


ish  and  Ame- 
Slatos  :  Tlioy 
I  iiiore  tlura- 
:ie  American 
ith  only  half 
int  in  ship- 
's. Expuri- 
long  inliabi- 
;  k'ss  durable 
)roughly  sea- 


vportcd  from 
the  Northern 
mber :  what 
Lake  Cham- 
vn  consump- 


vhich  I  have 
lave  entered 
his   Treatise 

?k-yards  the 
nbcr.  The 
s  from  Balti- 


'd  a  conjec- 
^scrving  and 
hich  neither 
;ures  to  pre- 
erishment  of 
White  Oak 
the  i\ri(ldlo 
',  Kentucky, 
;  will  be  the 
:  the  forests, 
;ar  the  river 
he  Beeches, 
ice,  I  have 
,  which  aro 
)W(!r  part  of 
extensively 
the  valleys 
laces  where 


v: 


-««ip»-»««iN. 


I   i 


COMMON    i:U  llOPKAN    OAK. 


13 


the  Oiik  cniilil  bo  advanla;^('oiisly  reared  ;  but  these  lertile  lands  are  more 
profitably  devoted  to  lnisl);iiidry. 

'I'lie  Aiiuiiraii  Wiiite  Oak  eaiinot,  in  my  opinion,  be  re'j,ardr(l  as  ati 
useful  ae(iuisiti()n  to  the  forests  of  Kuro]K'.  Its  elasticity  whieli  renders  the 
young  stoeks  proper  for  hoops,  is  doubth'ss  a  vabiable  properly  ;  but  the 
Chesnut  of  France  is  superior  for  this  p\n  pose,  because  it  is  more  durable. 

The  White  Oak  is  used  in  the  royal  dock-yards  of  f''n'j;land,  ))robal)ly 
because  it  has  been  found  impossible  to  procure  supplies  of  I'uropean 
Oak.  Perhaps  it  is  employed  only  for  the  hnvur  i)art  of  the  frame,  while 
the  European  Oak  is  reserved  for  the  upper  timbers. 

If  the  advantage  in  this  comi)arisoii  be  allowed  to  bo  on  the  side  of  the 
European  species,  tlic  Americans  should  lose  no  time  in  inlroibieinij;  it 
into  their  forests.  To  corporations  particularly,  whose  i)ropeity  is  less 
frequently  alienated,  I  take  the  liljerty  of  addressin^j,'  this  advice,  which, 
if  followed,  would  bo  productive  of  o-rcat  advantage  to  themstdves  anil  to 
the  public.  The  analogy  of  the  climates  leaves  no  doubt  of  the  jierfect 
success  of  this  tree  in  the  United  States,  an  example  of  which  is  h)unil  in 
the  garden  of  Messrs.  J.  and  \V.  Dartram,  three  miles  from  Philadelj)hia, 
where  there  is  a  large  stock  which  has  yielded  seed  for  several  years, 
and  which  continues  to  expand  willi  vigour. 

PI.ATE  r. 

Jt  branch  tvilh  Icavs  and  tirnrnti  of  //c  na/itral  size. 
[Sec  NuttalPs  Supplement,  Vol.  I.  pj).  IfJ.  20.  O:}.] 


COMMON   EUllOPEAN  OAK. 

duERcus  UOBL'R.      Q.  folUs  ppliofalis,  ofj/ungis,  r>-/(if)rls^  slnuutis  ;  lohis 
rotundulis  ;  J'ructibus  oblongis,  sennilibiis. 

To  the  particular  attention  bestowed  upon  this  interesting  tree  in  moderJi 
times,  is  owinij  its  division  into  two  species,  the  Common  European  Oak, 
Qut'rcus  rubtir,  and  the  European  White  Oak,  Qitcrciis  pcdiincnlola. 

These  two  species,  which  are  much  alike  anil  are  usually  considered  as 
tlie  same,  grow  in  the  same  countries,  and  freciueiitly  together.  They  con- 
stitute the  greater  part  of  the  European  forests,  from  the  (iOth  to  the  35th 
degree  of  north  latitude,  overspreading  a  great  part  of  the  north  of  Asia 
and  the  northern  extremity  of  Africa.     They  are  most  abumlantly  mulli- 


u 


KI.UO  I'K.W    Win  I"  K    (»  A  K'. 


plied  on  tlio  slinios  of  the  Black'  Sea,  in  Gcrmnny,  Kriifland,  France,  and 
some  parts  of  Italy,  wlicre  the  climate  is  parlieularly  favonrahle  to  their 
growth, 

'I'Ik!  (^omnion  Eiirnpoan  Oak  is  from  GO  to  SO  feet  in  lH'ijj;ht,  numerously 
raniificil,  and  crowned  with  an  ani[i!e  and  majestic  sununit.  The  hark 
upon  the  trunk  is  tidck,  and  upon  old  stocks,  deeply  hirrowed.  'I'he  loaves 
arc  petiolated,  smooth,  and  of  an  unilbrm  colour  on  holh  sides,  enlai'ned 
towards  the  summit,  and  very  coarsely  toothed.  The  acorns  are  oval  and 
scsni/e,  which  is  the  princii)al  diU'erence  hctween  the  two  species. 

This  tree  prefers  high  places  and  the  declivities  of  hills,  with  a  barren 
gravelly  soil  ;  hence  it  grows  more  slowly,  and  its  wood  is  more  compact, 
tougher  and  heavier  than  that  of  the  European  White  Oak.  It  is  less  used 
for  household  stidf  and  other  kinds  of  joinery,  because  it  is  less  easily 
wrought ;  but  is  more  esteemed  for  building  and  for  works  that  require 
great  strength  and  durability. 

The  Common  European  Oak  is  subdivided  into  many  varieties,  the  most 
valuable  of  which  are  the  European  J5lack  Oak,  Qiic.rcusrulmr  luinijxinosa, 
and  the  Qnerciis  robur  ghmcrata.  The  first  is  oidy  30  or  40  feet  high, 
with  small  thick  leaves,  very  downy  underneath  ;  its  timber  is  compact 
and  excellent  for  fuel.  The  second  never  rises  to  a  great  height ;  the 
leaves  are  small,  but  smooth  on  both  sides  ;  the  acorns  are  of  an  inferior 
size  and  collected  in  clusters  upon  a  short  common  peduncle.* 

PLATE  II. 

./?  hrwich  of  the  Common  Fiirojmin  Oak  with  leaves  and  arornx  of  Ihc.  nafii- 
nil  nizr. 


EUROPEAN    WHITE    O.VK. 


CluLRCus  PEDUNcui.ATA.     Q, fnlus  sribsrssUtbuu,  g!abr'is,  simtat'is  ;  fruclibiis 

oblongis,  pcduncululh. 

TiiF,  European  White  Oak  grows  of  choice  in  rich  bottoms,  where  the 
soil  is  deep  and  moderately  humid.  It  reaches  the  height  of  90  or  100 
feet,  and  has  a  large  well  proportioned  trunk,  which  is  often  undivided  for 
a  considerable  distance,  and  which  spreads  into  a  large  commanding  sum- 

[For  a  liinflily  intrrcsting  account  of  tliis  tree  and  tlic  ensuing  one,  (J.  pcilunculata,  sec  Lou- 
don's Arboretum  Uiiltutiicum,  vol.  3,  p.  1710.] 


EUROPEAN    WHITH    OAK'. 


l,"i 


'Vance,  and 
Ic  to  their 

mimeroiisly 
The  bark 
The  loaves 
s,  ciilnitfoJ 
e  ovjil  and 
s. 

h  a  barren 
e  compact, 
IS  less  used 
less  easily 
lat  require 

s,  the  most 
iniiiiihumi, 
I  feet  high, 
is  compact 
eight ;  the 
an  inferior 


f  ihc  natii- 


niit.  'I'iie  bark  >ipon  the  body  is  very  thick,  and  on  old  trees,  ilceply  fur- 
rowed ;  upon  the  TuMbs  ami  the  young  stocks  it  is  grayish,  smooth  and 
glossy.  The  leaves  are  of  a  light  green  on  the  upper  s\irfaco,  whitish 
beneath,  widened  toward  llie  summit,  deeply  siiuuited  with  blunted  points, 
and  supported  by  short  petioles  like  those  of  tlie  Auu'riean  While  Oak. 
They  are  more  or  less  divided  according  to  the  age  of  the  tree  and  to  the 
moisture  of  the  soil.  A  part  of  the  dry  discolored  foliage  persists  through 
the  winter,  and  falls  the  ensuing  spring. 

JJesitles  the  dillerence  of  the  foliage,  this  species  is  constantly  distin- 
guished from  the  preceding  by  its  fruit,  wiiich  is  supported  singly  or  in 
pairs  by  slender  peduncles,  2,  .'},  or  even  4  inches  long.  Tiie  acorns  are 
of  an  oval  shape,  from  9  to  IS  lines  in  length,  according  to  the  age  and 
vigor  of  the  tree,  and  contained  in  shallow  cups  ;  they  fall  about  a  fort- 
night before  those  of  the  Common  Oak. 

The  wood  of  the  European  White  Oak  is  of  Uie  same  colour  with  that 
of  the  American  species,  the  sap  being  white  and  the  heart  reddish  ;  but 
the  texture  is  closer  and  the  pores  fuller,  which  is  probably  the  reason  of 
its  being  less  elastic,  but  stronger  and  more  durable.  It  is  generally  pre- 
ferred to  the  common  Oak,  as  it  furnishes  larger  timbers,  splits  more  regu- 
larly, and  is  more  easily  wrought ;  hence  it  is  highly  esteemed  for  the 
construction  of  houses  and  shii)s,  and  extensively  employed  by  the  joiner, 
the  wheelwright  and  the  coo[)er. 

Throughout  Europe,  except  in  the  noith  of  Russia,  the  bark  of  the 
Common  Oak  and  the  White  Oak  is  almost  exclusively  used  in  tanning. 
That  which  is  taken  from  the  branches  and  from  small  stocks  is  preferred, 
because  the  epidermis  is  thinner,  and  the  cellular  tissue,  which  con- 
tains the  taimin,  more  abundant. 

Oak  wood  is  more  generally  used  in  Europe  than  in  the  United  States, 
where  the  dilVerent  species  of  Ash,  Biich,  etc.,  in  some  measure  supply  its 
place.  The  European  White  Oak  would  be  a  valuable  addition  to  the 
American  forests,  and  I  have  sent  out  acorns  to  begin  the  formation  of 
nurseries. 


fruclibtis 


V 


here  the 
0  or  100 
vided  for 


PLATE  II. 

*1  branch  of  the  European  White  Oak  w'uh  leaves  and  acorns  of  the  natural 


size. 


Lou- 


[     IG     ] 


MOSS  Y-C  U  P  01  K. 

QiTRrirs  oi.ivKFonMis.  Q,  fiiliis  (ili/iui!:;!s,  li'/iiliri.',  .in/i/its  i-'/diirix,  jirnfimdc 
iniii/iuilitrn/iic  siiiuulo-lulnilin  ;  fnivln  ovalo  ;  ciijni/n  itroj'nndinit  crulciuli'i, 
iupcriif  criiiild ;  ghiiitli:  olictrj'onni, 

I  HAVE  obsorveil  tliis  species  of  Oak  only  in  the  state  of  New  York,  on 
the  hanks  of  the  Hudson  above  Albany  and  in  Gencssec,  where  it  is  so 
rare  that  it  has  hilluM'to  received  no  specific  name. 

lis  leaves  are  of  a  lii^ht  ^reen  above  and  wliitisli  hencatli  :  they  resemble 
those  of  tiie  Wliile  Oak  in  colonr ,  but  diller  from  them  in  form,  being 
larjrer,  and  very  deejjly  and  irri'tjularly  laciniated,  -with  rounded  lobes  so 
various  in  shape  tliat  it  is  impossil)le  to  fmd  two  leaves  that  arc  alilvo. 
The  acorns  are  of  an  cioni^faled  oval  form,  and  are  enclosed  in  cups  of 
nearly  the  same  confir^uration,  of  whicli  the  scales  are  prominent  and 
recurved,  except  near  the  ed^e,  where  they  terriiinate  in  slender  flexible 
filaments  :  From  tliis  jieculiarity  1  have  derivei;  the  name  of  Mossij-cup 
Oak. 

This  tree  is  GO  or  70  feet  in  height,  with  a  spacious  summit  and  an  im- 
posing aspect.  The  bark  is  white  and  laminated  ;  l)ut  the  tree  is  chiefly 
remarkable  for  the  form  aiul  disposition  of  its  secondary  branches,  which 
are  slender,  llexibie,  and  always  inclined  tnwar<l  the  earth.  This  pecu- 
liarity alone  would  render  it  a  valual)le  acipasiiion    for  i)aiks  and  gardens. 

As  I  have  met  with  this  species  only  in  uniidiabited  places,  I  have  had 
little  op|>orlunily  of  examining  its  vi  od  ;  as  far  as  I  can  ju<ige,  it  is  not 
better  than  that  of  the  While  Oak,  Uioul^Ii  liu  superior  to  that  of  the  Red 
Oak. 

PLATK  III. 


Leaves  of  the  natural  size,     F!g.  1,  ./7u  acorn  ici'li  the  cup.     Fig.  2,  ..^n 
acorn  wit/tout  the  cup.  . 

[See  Nultal's  Supplement,  vol.  I.  p.  11.] 


'Hcls,  pvoftinih. 
diua  cralciu/ii, 


<ew  York,  on 
vliero  it  is  so 

lioyre,sem])le 
I  form,  being 
clecl  lobes  so 
at  arc  alike. 
1  ill  cups  of 
iiiiiiUMit  and 
kIct  flexible 
if  JMossy-cup 

'■  and  an  irn- 
ee  is  cliiofly 
clios,  which 
This  pecii- 
nd  gardens. 
1  have  had 
;c,  it  is  not 
of  the  Red 


I 


Fig.  2,  .fin 


I! 


I 

J  r- 


! 


L 


/■.'/;.:/.■„■/.■ 


\l()ss\    Cvii)  OaL 

/'/', / iiix  i'//i'ir/<'/ /III,'' 


/uiUlf't/  I 


! 

■I 


;i 


/y  4. 


/'./  /;.:/..„i.- 


()\cr  ('uj)\\  hilc  Oak. 


/I.  „.„,/. 


{^' 


iicriii,\-  iiuicnuiirfiii 


7'' 


/'/ ^ 


//.„.„./. 


\ 


r 


I 


[    n    ] 


OVER-CUP   WHITE    OA  K. 


QuKRcus  MAcuncARPA.  (^.  fulih  >iiihlnuinUnnh,prof>iiHlc  /i/rfilhni/iir  sbviulo- 
lohalis,  obtusis  ;  Jmiiti  nuuimo ;  ciiptt/u  profundiun  cnilcniUi,  nuptrnc  cri- 
iiild ;  glandc  iiirgldc-ovutd. 


Tins  intcrcstin,!;^  species  is  most  nni1(i]i]icd  lieyoTid  llio  Allcglianies,  in 
flie  Irilile  dislricLs  of  Kentucky  smd  West  Tennessee,  and  in  Upper 
Loiusunia  near  tin;  Missouri.'^  It  is  called  by  the  Americans  Bur  Oak  and 
Overcup  White  Oak,  and  l)y  tlie  French  of  liHnois,  C/nhic  a  -^ros  gland. 

Il  is  a  ht'autiful  tree,  more  than  (JO  feet  in  hei^^ht,  lachMi  witli  dark 
IuIUmI  foliage".  Tlie  leaves  are  larger  than  those  of  any  oilier  Oak  in  the 
T  niled  Siates,  being  freipiently  15  inches  long  and  S  broad  :  they  are 
notched  near  the  summit,  and  deeply  laciniated  below.  The  acorns, 
which  are  also  larger  than  those  of  any  other  American  species,  are  oval, 
and  enclosed  for  two-thirds  of  Iheir  length  in  a  thick  rugged  cup,  bordered 
with  hue  flexible  filaments.  Sometimes,  however,  in  comjiact  forests,  or 
in  very  t.-mperafe  seasons,  the  lllaments  do  not  appear,  and  the  edge  of 
the  cui)  is  smooth  and  bent  in^v•ards. 

The  ihictiiication  of  this  tree  is  not  abundant,  and  as  its  wood  is  infe- 
rior to  that  of  the  White  Oak,  it  is  little   esteemed  in  the  C'-ited  Slates. 

I  have  observed,  as  well  as  my  falhcir  who  llrsl  i;,ade  the  remark,  that 
the  young  branches  are  iVeiiuenlly  covered  with  a  yellowish  fungous  sub- 
stance, like  those  of  the  elm  arid  sweet  (Jiim. 


PLATE  IV. 

.1  Inif  of  luilf  tlu  luilurul  !>i2c.     I'ig.  1,  .l,i  .'Icorn  in  th 
ra/  nizc. 


c  cup,  of  the  nalu- 


*  [According  lo  I'ursli  uu  dry  sl:itc  or  liincsloiiL'  hills.] 


I       IS       I 


IH)ST  0  A  K, 

Q,iiK.Rrus  onTTiPit.nnA.      Q.  fnlH.i  !i!»7int!.i,  avllvfi  jtvln  scrntHniaJnhh  nfi/usis, 
svpcriorUnis  dilutatis,  hilohis  :  fntchi  mal'wcri  ;  i^/undc  brcvi-ovutd. 

Qucrcus  stclkta,  Wili.d,  Sp.  PI. 

I.v  New  Jersey,  near  tlic  sen,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Pliiladelpliia,  this 
species  is  thinly  disseminated  in  tlio  foiesls,  and  has  liillierlo  been  consid- 
ered as  a  variety  of  the  White  Oalv.  In  Maryhiiid,  and  a  great  part  of 
\  irsTinia,  wlicre  it  abounds,  and  wlierc  its  properties  are  better  nnderstood, 
it  is  called  Box  Wliite  Oak,  r\nd  sometimes  Iron  Oalc,  and  Post  (Jak.  The 
last  denomination  oidy  is  used  in  the  Carolinas,  Georgia  and  East  Ten- 
nessee. 

The  steep  banks  of  the  Ilndson,  nearly  opposite  to  the  city  of  New 
York,  are  the  most  northern  point  at  which  I  have  ol)served  it.  Even 
here  its  existence  seems  to  be  secured  oidy  by  the  iiiduence  of  the  sea  air, 
which  tempers  to  a  certain  den'iee  the  severity  cl'  the  winter.  A  little 
further  inland  it  is  not  fonnd  in  the  forests,  in  the  vicinity  of  South 
Amboy,  thirty  miles  nearer  the  sea,  where  the  soil  is  dry  and  sandy,  it  is 
more  multiplied,  and  it  becomes  still  more  vi'.jorous  and  more  common  in 
advancing;  towards  the  south.  Westward,  in  Pennsylvania,  I  saw  the  last 
individual  of  this  species  a  little  beyond  Carlisle  on  the  road  to  Pittsburgh, 
150  miles  iVcnn  Philadelphia.  Near  Baltimore,  at  the  distance  of  210 
miles  ii'om  New  Yoik,  it  abonnds  in  the  woods,  and  attains  its  utmost 
expansion.  In  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  it  is  rare,  excejit  on  the  ed<j;es  of 
the  swamps  enclosed  in  the  forest.';,  about  which  it  is  multi])lird,  though  not 
fully  developed.  It  probably  exists  in  lower  Louisiana,  lor  we  met  with 
it  in  East  Florida,  of  which  the  climate  is  the  same. 

But  it  is  nowhere  more  abundant  than  in  IMaryland  and  i]\  VirLnniai 
between  the  Alleohanies  and  the  sea.  Wherever  the  soil  is  dry,  gravelly 
and  unsubstantial,  it  forms  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  forests,  whiidi 
are  composed  piincipally  ot  the  Black,  Scarlet,  Spanish  and  Black  Jack 
Oaks,  the  Dogwood  and  the  yellow  Pine.  These  woods  exliibit  a  stpudid 
appearance,  occasioned  not  only  by  the  sterility  of  the  soil,  but  by  the 
injury  they  arc  constantly  sustaining  from  the  cattle  which  range  through 
them  at  all  seasons,  and  which  in  winter  arc  compelled,  by  the  want  of 
herbage,  to  subsist  upon  the  young  sprouts  and  the  shoots  of  the  preceding 
year.      The  upper  part   of   the  two  Carolinas  and   Cleorgia,  particularly 


hits,  Jnhh  nfi/itsis, 
hrcvi.oL'utn. 

I,  WlLI.D,  Sp,  PI. 

hiladclphia,  (his 
rlo  boon  conskl- 

n  S''^'*it  part  of 
(or   uiuleistoocl, 
I'ost  Oak.     The 

and  East  Tcii- 

le  city  of   New 
rved  it.     Even 
i  of  tlic  sea  air, 
■inter.     A  little 
inity  of   South 
md   sandy,  it  is 
ore  common  in 
,  I  saw  the  last 
1  to  Pittsburgh, 
stance  of   210 
lins   its  utmost 
in  the  edges  of 
ifd,  though  not 
'  we  met  -with 


d  ii\  Virginia, 
s  dry,  giavelly 
forests,  which 
id  ]]laclv  Jack 
libit  a  squalid 
'il,  but  by  the 
'angc  through 
r"  the  want  of 
the  preceding 
a,  j)arlicuiarly 


1 

L 


fi, '/:../.:■,/:■ 


/'jA'rJ.K^A- 


/'■//i//.  •   ■  '■• 


I'OSI       ().)ls 

(h/,/  ,11,'    ,'/'///.' //,'/',! 


iU. 


I 


POST    (»  A  K. 


Id 


1 


wlicn;  llic  I'iiic  iiml  ( );il<  lnii\-;!s  iitiilc,  is  ;miilf)i,'niis  in  si)il  to  llnit  portion 
of  \  iiL'iiii;i  of  wliii'li  we  Imvc  iircii  s|)c;ii;iip.i;,  ihuI  iilinimds  in  tlic  Must 
Oak;  linl  iicariT  tin'  sea,  ihe  lianiMi  walk's  arc;  coNi'inl  willi  tin;  Loii;;- 
Icavud  I'ini.',  inid  tin;  Oiilv  is  si'cn  only  in  tiiu  lowest  pnils  of  tin:  s\vani|is, 
iilioul  the  iilantations,  and  on  tincts  tlinl  liiive  ht'cn  exliaustcd  by  cnliivu- 
(inn  and  aliatulon  ■(!. 

'I'lic  leaves  are  Imrne  liy  sliort  petioles,  and  aie  ol  a  dusky  green  ahove, 
nnd  grayish  hiineaili.  'I'hey  arc  four  or  live  inclies  in  length,  thieU,  and 
even  coriaceous  toward  tlui  ond  of  summer,  deeply  and  regularly  sinuated, 
ami  are  divided  into  four  or  five  rounded  lobes,  of  which  the  two  nearest 
tlie  summit  are  the  broadest.  Toward  the  fall  the  ribs  are  of  a  rosy  tint, 
instead  of  a  purjilish  red,  like  those  of  the  iScarlel  Oak.  The  frnelifn'ation 
seldom  fails.  'I'he  aeoins  ai(!  small,  oval,  and  covered  for  a  third  of  their 
length,  with  a  slightly  ruggtd  grayish  cup.  'I'hey  are  very  sweet,  and  j'orm 
a  delicious  food  for  squirrels  and  wild  turkeys;  hence  the  tree  is  sometimes 
called  Tuikey  Oak. 

The  height  of  lliis  species  rarely  exceeds  40  or  .' ■>  feet,  with  a  diameter 
of  If)  inches.  Its  summit,  even  when  compressed  in  the  forests,  is  dispro- 
portionately large,  owing  proliably  to  the  eaily  division  of  the  trunk  into 
several  limbs,  with  which  the  secondary  branches  form  moie  open  angles 
than  is  common  on  other  trees.  The  branches  also  are  bent  into  elbows 
at  certain  distances,  which  gives  so  jjeculiar  an  appearance  to  the  tree, 
that  it  is  easily  distinguished  when  the  leaves  are  fallen.  The  bark  upon 
the  trunk  is  thin  and  of  a  greyish  white.  The  wood  is  yellowish,  with  no 
tinge  of  red.  Growing  upon  a  less  humid  soil,  it  is  less  clastic,  but  liner 
grained,  stronger  and  more  durable  than  the  White  Oaic  :  hence  it  is  pre- 
ferred for  posts,  and  is  used  with  advantage  by  wheel-wrights  and  coopers. 

In  ship  building,  it  is  used  princi})ally  lor  the  knees,  and  is  admitted  into 
the  lower  part  of  the  frame.  It  rarely  furnishes  side-planks  or  tindier  of 
considerable  length  ;  for  this  reason  it  is  less  esteemed  than  the  White  Oak, 
and  it  is,  besides,  less  common,  except  in  JNIaryland  and  certain  parts  of 
Virginia. 

The  preference  given  in  the  West  Indies  to  the  staves  from  Baltimore 
and  Norfolk  is  due,  in  a  great  measure,  to  their  being  made  of  the  Post 
Oak. 

This  tree,  though  only  of  secondary  si/o,  should  be  propagated  in 
America,  and  introduced  into  the  forests  of  Europe. 


PLATE  V. 

Jl  branch  with  leaves  atul  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 
(See  Nutlall's  Supplement,  Vol.  1,  p.  13.) 


I     -.'u     I 


0  VKU-Cr  !•  OAK. 

(Ji'i.iu'cs  I. Ml  \T  \.  Q,  fi>l!!s  siilisrssifl/iiis,  •j.ldhrh,  /_i/i-iili>.^!niii>s!.i,  siDiimHatc 
ililiiliilii,  dinifiailo'liilolii'i,  liihis  tinittiii!.'jiiifi,  ti  nuiiid/i  /ii(t(.\jtul(}  cnjiiilu 
(It'lhi sMt-.s^obosii,  iitiniciilii-sciilifdlii  f   L::iiintli  .ml/lic'ii, 

r.N  till'  ['ni(('(l  ^ihilps  T  liiivi'  met  with  tliis  ill((■|■l•^tin|,'  qicrii's  diilv  in  Hki 
lower  |i:iit  dl'  the  ('Mroliniis  iiiul  dl'  ( ie(ii'.';i;i.  ft  proliDhly  exists  on  tlie 
l);iliKs  (if  llie  ?.Ii ssis>;i|)|ii  ju  f.nwei'  r,oiiisi;i;in,  nrid  I  l';'\c  olisnved  it  dii 
the  St.  Jdliii  ill  I'l.ist  Fldiidii,  in  .sltiiutidiis  iiiiiildeoiis  to  iliose  in  uhieli  it 
lloiirislies  ii  little  i'lirlher  iidftli.  In  (ie(ii;^'ia  anil  (•iiKilina  it  is  not  exleii- 
sively  iiinltiplied,  and  has  been  distinu'iiished  only  l>y  llie  inlialiitanls  dftlit! 
))lace.s  wlieio  it  i'Tows.  Ii  is  cidlrd  Swainii  ''"^'  "iil^S  t 'vei-cui)  Oak,  and 
^Vatl■|■  White  Oak.  'I'lie  lirsl  ol' these  deiioininati'ins  indicates  an  analoL'y 
between  its  I'oliage  and  that  df  the  I'ost  Oak,  and  tin,'  seeond,  a  reinaikalilu 
])eciiliai'ity  of  its  fruit,  fit'  which  the  acoiri  is  eoveicd  liy  the  cup.  The 
name  of  Ovcr-ciij)  ()ak  is  the  iiidsl  coiiiiiion  in  South  ('arolina,  and  that  of 
Swamp  Post  Oak  on  the  Savannah  in  (jeor';la. 

The  Over-cup  Oak  i^iows  in  more  humid  situations  than  any  other 
species  of  this  o-eniis  in  the  I'nited  Slates.  It  is  never  seen  in  the  lone; 
narrow  marshes  which  intersect  the  piiic-harrens,  Inil  is  I'ound  excliisividy 
in  the  great  swamps  on  the  borders  of  tin;  rivers,  which  art;  often  o\eilIowcd 
..t  tiie  risini4'  of  the  waters,  and  are  inaccessible  dmiii^'  three-ipiarlers  of  the 
year.  In  these  i^ioomy  forests  it  is  united  witii  the  LarL!;e  Tupelo,  White 
Elm,  Wahoo,  Planer  Tree,  Carolinian  Poplar,  Water  JJitlenuit  Hickory 
and  Water  Locust. 

It  expands  to  a  majestic  size,  and  the  inlluence  of  a  deep  and  constantly 
humid  soil  is  shown  in  the  luxnriancy  of  its  veijetation.  On  the  banks  of 
the  Savannah  I  have  seen  stocks  which  were  more  than  SO  feet  high  and 
ii'om  S  to  12  feet  in  ciiciimleri'iicc.  'I'he  leaves  are  (J  or  S  inches  long, 
smooth,  narrow,  lyre-shaped,  decjily  siiiuatcd,  and  borne  by  short  petioles. 
The  lobes,  particularly  the  two  upper  ones,  are  truncated,  and  from  their 
resemblance  in  this  respect  to  those  of  llie  Post  Oak,  is  derived  the  name 
of  Swamp  Post  Oak.  The  foliage  is  thick  and  of  a  light  agreeable  tint. 
The  acorns,  unlike  those  of  the  (Jaks  in  general  which  arc  of  an  elongated 
oval  shape,  are  broad,  round,  and  ilepressed  at  the  summit :  they  are  some- 
times from  12  to  IS  lines  in  diameter  from  side  to  side,  and  from  (J  to  10 
lines  from  the  base  to  the  summit.  The  cup,  which  is  nearly  closed,  is 
thin,  and  its  scales  are  terminated  by  short  iirin  points. 

Tlie  bark  upon  the  trunk  is  white,  aiul  the  wootl,  though  inferior  to  that 
of  the  White  Oak  and  the  Post  Oak,  is  iiiort'  compact  than  would  be  sup- 


i 


IK-- 


it!.i,>iinii)ii!fiifi< 


ics  only  ill  tlio 
exists  nil  tlic 
'isrrvi'd  il  (111 
St.'  ill  wliich  i(. 

is  not  oxti'ii- 
iihitiiiils  ortla; 
I'lii)  ( lak,  mill 
I's  nil  uiiiiloL'y 

a  rciiiiiikiilili; 
It'  cup.  'I'lll- 
;i,  and  lliiit  uf 

\n  any  other 
1  ill  the  loiiiT 
cl  exclusively 
'II  ovcrllowed 
luartersoftlie 
iipclo,  Wliite 
riuit  Hickory 

1(1  constantly 
the  banks  of 
:ct  liii^h  and 
inches  loiii,', 
liort  petioles, 
d  liom  their 
ed  the  nanio 
Jieeable  tint, 
an  elongated 
ey  are  soine- 
I'loin  6  to  10 
ly  closed,  is 


I 


feiior  to  that 
3uld  be  sup- 


iL^ 


4 


4 


/'J  A 


/'.'/!../.;,/.■././ 


()\<M'  Cvip   Oak 

(h/)/r/t.>    / 1// if /if. 


It 


*i 


( 


/:,:....,  ,M 


SN\amj)  \\  liHo  Oak 


/:  - 


yi.1^2 


'I  ll 


ii  '\i 


SWAMP  wiirri:  oa  k'. 


II 


posed  finni  tliu  soil  in  wliicli  it  throws;  llie  pores  an-  ohsoiviilile  only 
between  the  conuentncal  circles,  ami  are  more  regularly  disposed  tliaii  in 
otlier  trees, 

Tliis  species  is  the  larj^est  ami  the  most  hi;j;li]y  esteemed  among  the  Oaks 
that  grow  in  wet  gronmis.  Its  propagation  should  he  a(tem[)led  in  the 
forests  of  Europe,  where  no  (li)ul)t  can  l)e  entertained  of  its  success.  The 
acorns  which  I  sent  to  I'ranec!  several  years  since,  thougli  sown  up(Ui 
uplands,  liave  produced  nourishing  })lants,  whicli  hear  the  winter  of  Paris 
without  injury. 


\ 


I 


PI.ATi':  VI. 
^  branch  with  leaves  andJruU  of  the  naturul  size. 


SWAMP  WIUTK  OAK. 


QuERCiis  PRiMis  niscoi.oR.  Q.  fiillis  ()hlii/ia'i>-o!iitriifi.i  sv/ilhs-  alhn-lomrntnuh, 
iHTnsse  (Iriitntis,  /ki-s!  inleu;rriiiiiis,  deii/i/nia  iiurquaHhuH  di/iilalis ;  J'rticlihits 
longe  peduneidulis, 

Qinrcus  t)iruli>r.     Wir.i.i), 

Tins  species  is  known  in  the  United  Stales  oidy  l)y  tlie  name  of  Swamp 
White  Oak,  whicli  indicates  at  once  the  soil  which  it  prefers  and  its  analogy 
to  the  White  Oak. 

I  fust  observed  it  near  Portsmouth  in  New  Hampshire;  but  it  is  less 
multiplied  in  this  latitude  than  in  the  Aliddle  and  Western  States.  It 
particularly  attracted  my  attention  in  New  Jersey  near  the  city  of  New 
York,  on  the  Delaware  in  Pennsylvania,  on  tlie  Sus(|uehanna  in  Virginia, 
and  beyond  the  mountains  on  the  Ohio  in  Kentucky  and  on  the  Ilolston 
near  Knoxville  in  East  Tennessee  ;  I  have  also  seen  it  on  the  shores  of 
lake  Champlain  and  lake  Ontario.  Except  the  District  of  Maine  and  the 
maritime  parts  of  the  Southern  Section,  it  is  dilRised  throughout  the  United 
States  ;  in  comparison,  however,  with  several  otlier  species,  it  is  not  com- 
mon, being  found  only  on  the  edges  of  swamps  and  in  wet  places  exposed 
to  inundations,  and  not  in  the  forests  at  large,  like  the  While  Oak,  the 
Black  Oak,  &c.  In  New  Jersey  it  is  associated  with  the  Pin  Oak,  the 
Red-Uowering  Maple,  the  White  Ash,  the  Tupelo  and  the  Shell-baik  Hick- 


22 


SWAMP    WHITE   OAK. 


oiy.  On  the  shores  of  Lake  Chainplain,  whicli  occasionally  oiler  siniilar 
situalions,  particiilaiiy  at  a  little  distance  t'lonuSkcensbomuffh,  it  is  mingled 
with  the  While  Mii|ik.s,  which  uccuiiy  the  next  line  to  the  Willows  in 
retiring  from  the  slioie. 

The  Swamp  White  Oak  is  a  beautiful  tree,  more  than  70  feet  in  height, 
of  which  the  vegetation  is  vigorous  and  the  foliage  luxuriant.  The  leaves 
are  G  or  S  inches  long  and  4  inches  broad,  smooth  and  of  a  slightly  dark 
green  above,  downy  and  light  colored  beneath  ;  they  are  entire  toward  the 
base,  which  is  cuneiform,  but  are  widened  and  coarsely  tootlied  for  two- 
thirds  of  their  length  toward  tlie  summit.  The  tree  is  distinguished  when 
young,  by  the  form  of  its  base  and  by  the  down  upon  its  leaves,  which  is 
more  sensible  to  the  touch  than  on  any  analogous  species.  At  a  riper  age 
the  lower  side  of  the  leaf  is  of  a  silvery  white,  which  is  strikingly  contrasted 
with  the  bright  green  of  the  ujiper  surface  ;  hence  the  specillc  name  of 
discolor  was  given  it  by  Dr.  Muhlenberg. 

The  acorns  are  sweet,  but  seldom  abundant ;  thoy  are  rather  large,  of  a 
brown  complexion,  and  contained  in  a  spreading  cup  edged  with  short 
slender  fdanicnts,  more  downy  within  than  those  of  any  other  Oak,  and 
su])ported  by  peduncles  1  or  2  inches  in  length. 

The  trunk  is  clad  in  a  scaly  grayish-white  bark.  The  wood  is  strong, 
elastic,  and  heavier  than  that  of  the  White  Oak.  In  slocks  more  than  a 
foot  in  diameter,  the  grain  is  fnie  and  close,  and  the  pores  are  nearly  oblit- 
erated. It  splits  easily,  and  in  a  straight  line,  and  is  esteemed  next  in 
quality  to  the  While  Oak,  though  from  its  rareness  it  is  but  accidentally 
employed  in  the  arts. 

If,  as  I  incline  to  believe,  the  Swamp  White  Oak  is  found  by  more 
accurate  experiments  to  be  superior  to  the  While  Oak,  it  must  be  consi- 
dered as  a  very  valuable  tree,  and  its  increase  sliould  be  favoured  at  the 
expense  of  the  Red-flowering  Maple,  the  lUtternut  Hickory,  the  Hornbeam, 
and  other  species  which  grow  in  the  same  exposures.  It  seems  also  to 
deserve  a  place  in  the  forests  of  Eurojie,  where,  in  moist  grounds,  it  might 
be  blended  or  alternated  with  the  Ashes,  the  Alders  and  the  Poplars. 


PLATE  VII. 

.<Z  branch  with  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 

(Sec  Nutlall's  Supplement,  Vol.  1,  p.  13.) 


'    ,i 


It.:-..,  ./,:• 


('Iicsmil  \\  lii!r  Oak 


/'/.•; 


I  ^;5  J 


(MIKSNLT  WIIITK  ()\K. 


tlrrnri"*  rui\i's  PAi.trsTni''.      Q. J'niih  oh/ontfn'oraH/in'i,  aciiiiiuuifis  aciillsvr, 
auOiailJtinnitir  dcnlalii  ;  cuintUi  crtitnald,  sub.squamosii  f  glaiuli  ovala. 

Qucrcin'primin.    Wii.r.K. 


Tin:  Clic'stnit  Wliilo  O.ik  is  fust  sron  williiti  Ion  tnilcs  of  Pliihulrliiliia  ; 
l)iit  it  is  loss  inulliplifd  mih!  loss  iimply  (Irvrliipoil  tiiiui  ruitlior  soiitli.  Il  is 
most  ;iliiin(l;int  in  llio  iniiiilimo  jiarls  of  liio  (/'aroliiias,  Geoi'ijia  and  Kast 
I'Moiida,  iind  is  proliahly  fniKKl  on  the  lianks  of  tlio  jMississi[i|ii,  wliidi  are 
nnal<i;^'i)iis  to  tlioso  of  n)any  livois  of  the  .'millic  n  Statos. 

In  I'onnsylvania  this  sijocics  is  cnnfoiihiU'd  witli  the  !'  ick  ('li:'sniit  Oak, 
whicii  it  stiikinnly  rcsoiiihlos  ;  fmlhor  s  uitii,  whoio  the  Uock  ("hcsniit 
Oak  is  unknown,  it  is  oaliod  Chosniit  Wiiitt  Oak.  S\v;iin|)  Ciu'sniit  ''ik, 
and  ;j;oiioralIy  on  tho  Siivannali  Whilo  Oak. 

Tho  Chosniit  Wliilo  Oak  is  adorned  witli,  hoai'lifnl  folia'.'o  :  e  loaves 
arc  S  or  i)  inches  lon^i;,  4  or  5  inohos  broad,  ohovalc,  deeply  louthed,  of  a 
lij,'ht  shinint^  i^noon  above  and  whilish  boiioath. 

'I"hc  aoorns  are  brown,  oval,  larger  than  tliosc  of  Miy  other  species 
except  the  Ov(M'-oiip  Whilo  Oak,  and  conlainoc!  m  shallow  sealy  eups. 
Hoiiiir  swo(!t-llavourod,  and  soniolinios  ahnndani,  thoy  are  sought  wilh 
avidity  by  wild  and  domeslic  animals,  such  as  doe.,  cows,  horses  and 
swine. 

The  Chcsnut  White  Oak,  like  the  Ovor-onp  Or':,  ij;rows  only  in  the 
large  swamps  that  border  tiie  rivers  or  are  enclosed  in  tho  forests  ;  but  it 
always  chooses  spots  that  are  rarely  inundated,  where  the  soil  is  loose, 
deep,  constantly  cool  and  luxuriantly  fertile. 

In  the  ('arolinas  and  (uMirgia  it  is  usually  accompanied  by  tlie  White 
Elm,  the  Wahoo,  the  Ijig  Laurel,  the  Umbrella  Tree,  the  Swoot  Loaves, 
the  Ikoch,  the  Poplar,  the  Bitloriuit  'I'fVory  ami  the  Devil  Wood.  In 
this  latitude  it  attains  its  utmost  dcv.  '■  ,  .lont,  which  is  SO  or  90  feet  in 
stature,  wilh  a  proportional  diameter.  Jts  straight  trunk,  undivided  ami  of 
a  uniform  size  to  the  height  of  50  feet,  aiul  its  expansive  tufted  summit, 
form  one  of  the  most  beautiful  ;iad  majestic  trees  of  the  North  American 
forests. 

Its  wood,  which  is  affected  l)y  the  riclincss  of  the  soil,  is  inferior  to  that 
of  the  Post  Oak;  'he  White  Oak,  and  oven  the  Ovor-cup  Oak  ;  and  its 
pores,  though  nearly  obliterated,  are  more  open.     Lul  it  is  superior  to 


many  dtlui  species,  and  is  employed  i'or  wheel-wiiifhls'  works  and  other 
oljjeels  which  leqiiiio  streni,f|li  and  duiahility.  As  it  splits  in  a  stiai<iht 
line,  and  may  be  divided  into  line  shreds,  it  is  chosen  by  the  negroes  for 
baskets  and  liioonis.  Its  pores  are  too  ojien  to  contain  wine  or  siiirituous 
liipiors.  In  the  Ibrni  of  rails  it  lasts  12  or  1")  years,  or  a  lliird  longer  than 
tlie  Willow  ('ilk.  At  AiiL;iista  in  (irorn'ia  it  is  eonsidcicd  as  the  Itest  fuel, 
and  is  sold  at  two  or  three  dollars  a  cord. 

The  Chesnnt  White  Oak  endures  the  winter  of  Paris,  l)ut  its  vegetation 
would  he  ([uieker  in  the  more  soulhern  departments.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  a  tree  whicii  seems  I'ormeil  to  be  one  of  the  finest  ornaments  of  our 
forests,  should  have  nolhing  to  recommend  it  but  its  beauty.  Other  proper- 
lies  it  jiossi'sses  only  in  a  secondary  degree,  and  in  Europe  it  will  probably 
be  confined  to  the  pleasure  grountls  of  amateurs. 


PLATE  VIII. 

.7  lininvli  iri/h  /caves  and  fruit  of  Ihc  natural  size. 


1U)CK  ClIKSNUT  OAK. 

(In  iu:i's    iTviM's  MiiNru di.A.     V-  f'd'iifi   oliovalh  orulis   irrossi'  ihntath,  ihn- 
I  tints  .su/m  ijittilibut  ;   fiiiclu  inaju.'.culo,  cupula  lurbinuld,  scabrosd  ;  glaiulc 

uliluill^d, 

Qucrciis  inoiitann.    Villd. 


Tins  ();;k  is  amonii' the  species  which  are  not  scattered  promiscuously 
in  the  I'oiests,  but  whicli  ui'i'W  cuilv  in  jiaiticular  situations,  and  easily 
escajie  observation  ;  hence  it  is  dillicull  to  assign  its  limits  with  piccision. 
It  probably  does  not  extend  iiordiward  far  beyond  Vermont,  nor  eastward 
beyond  New  Hampshire.  I  have  never  seen  it  in  the  District  of  Maine 
jior  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  it  is  not  mcnlii>ne(l  in  my  father's  botanical  not(\s 
u])on  Lower  Canada  ;  it  is  likewise  a  stranger  to  the  maritime  parts  of  the 
Soulhern  States.  It  is  most  frei|uently  met  wilii  in  the  Middle  and  in 
.some  parts  of  the  Norlhern  Sections  ;  but  is  rarely  mingled  with  other  trees 
in  the  forests,  and  is  found  only  on  high  grounds  thickly  strewed  with  stones 
or  covered  with  rocks.     Thus  it  is  often  seen  on  the  steep  and  rocky  banks 


and   otlior 

I  a  stiaif^ht 
nen;roes  for 
•  .><iruitii()us 
tiiiucr  tliau 
L'  best  fuel, 

vegetation 
e  regretted 
2nts  of  our 
her  proper- 

II  probably 


ntalh,  (hn- 
sd ;  glunde 

misciiously 
and    easily 

precision, 
ir  eastward 

of  JNIaino 
nical  notes 
arts  of  the 
lie  and  in 
other  trees 
A'itli  stones 
)cky  banks 


Ii 


i ''  ■ 


I!  I 

1! 


'IJI 


■ 


l\<»ck  Clu'siMit   Oak 

(hii/(N.i     /""  in  i' II I  It  old 


ROCK    CUES  NUT    OAK. 


25 


of  tilt'  Hudson  and  on  (he  shores  of  Lake  Cliamphiin,  and  slill  more  fre- 
quently on  tlie  Alle^hanies  in  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  It  forms  ninc- 
tenths  of  the  G;ro\vth  on  some  parts  of  these  mountains,  but  the  soil  is  so 
meatrer  that  it  is  thinly  dissominatrd  and  does  not  exrced  20  or  2")  feet  in 
heisjjht,  and  8  or  10  inches  in  diameter.  1  made  this  observation  particu- 
larly on  the  J)ry  llidi^es  IT)  miles  i'rom  I?edford. 

In  that  part  of  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  in  Maryland  and  Viri^inia,  it  is 
known  by  the  name  of  Chesnut  Oak,  and  by  that  of  llock  Oak  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson  and  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain  to  the  distance  of 
400  miles  from  New  York.  Both  arc  significant ;  tlie  first,  of  a  remarka- 
able  resemblance  of  the  bark  to  that  of  the  Chesnut  ;  and  the  second,  of 
the  situations  in  which  the  tree  is  exclusively  found.  For  this  reason,  and 
to  avoid  confounding  it  with  the  preceding  and  following  species,  which 
also  grow  in  Mrgiaia,  I  have  Itlendeil  the  two  denominations. 

The  beautiful  ai)i)earance  of  this  tree  when  growing  in  a  tortile  soil,  is 
owing  equally  to  the  symmetry  of  its  form  and  to  the  luxuriance  of  its 
foliage.  The  leavrs  are  .')  or  (i  iiicht  s  lonii,  3  or  4  bioa.l,  oval  and  uni- 
formly denti(,'ulated,  with  the  teeth  more  regular  but  less  acute  than  those 
of  the  Chesnut  Wiiite  Oak.  When  beginning  to  open  in  the  spring,  tiiey 
are  covered  with  a  thick  down  ;  but  when  I'ully  expanded,  they  are  per- 
fectly smooth,  whitish  jjeiicalli,  and  of  a  delicate  teMnre.  The  petiole  is 
of  a  yellow  color,  which  becomes  brighter  toward  the  fall. 

The  acorns  are  brown,  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  and  sometimes  an  inch 


in  le;rj;th 


a  ll 


lU'd 


part  of  wliieli  is    cfuitained  in  a  spreading  cup  covere 


d 


wi;h  loose  scales;  they  are  sweet  tasted,  a.ul  arc  a  favourite  nourislunent 
of  wild  and  domestic  animals. 

The  Rock  Chesnut  Oak  is  sometimes  3  feet  in  diameter,  and  more  than 
CJ  feet  high  ;  but  as  its  growth  is  usually  represseil  by  the  poverty  of  the 
soil,  it  rarely  attains  these  dimensions.  In  open  elevated  situations  it 
spreads  widely,  and  forms  a  bead  like  that  of  the  ap[)le  tree.  When  the 
trunk  exceeds  a  foot  in  diameter,  it  is  covered  with  a  thick,  hard,  deeply 
furrowed  bark.  At  New  York  and  near  the  Alleghanies  in  Pennsylvania, 
this  species  of  bark  is  esteemed  the  best  lor  tanning.  Only  that  of  the 
secondary  branches  and  of  stocks  less  than  (i  inches  thick  is  employed.  It 
is  sold  at  Ne>v  York  for  10  or  12  dollars  a  cord.  The  epidermis  is  strongly 
impregnated  with  the  tanning  principle,  which  in  other  species  resides 
only  in  the  cellular  tissue. 

The  wood  is  reddish  like  that  of  the  White  Oak,  but  its  pores  are  more 
opeU;  though  its  specific  gravity  is  greater :  pieces  of  both  species  being 
thrown  into  water,  the  While  Oak  remains  on  the  surface  and  the  other  at 
the  bottom.  Its  staves  are  not  used  to  contain  spirituous  liquors.  At 
New  York  and  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  it  holds  the  next  place  to  the 
White  Oak  in  the  construction  of  vessels.     It  is  employed  for   the  lower 


26 


V  K  L  I.  O  VV    U  A  K. 


part  of  the  f'rami',  and  oftciier  tor  tlio  knees  and  the  ribs  :  pieces  of  White 
Oalcsiiit((l  to  these  objncts  arc  procured  witli  difficulty;  l)iit  the  Roclc 
Chrsniil  daiv,  f^rowin^i;  up  in  a  continual  controversy  wilh  tlie  winds,  is 
more  licfpiently  bent  inio  tlu'  proper  sliape.  For  fuel,  it  is  next  in  price 
to  tlie  Hickory.  I  have  been  told  in  several  foro;es,  especially  those  at  the 
foot  of  the  Nort/i  Mnuiihiiti,  200  miles  fioni  Philadelphia,  that  it  is  superior 
in  this  respect  to  every  olher  spi-cies  ol' its  yeiius  excejit  the  Live  Oak. 

A  tree  like  this,  which  i^rows  in  stony  soils,  in  abrupt  uninhabitable 
exposures,  and  whose  bark  and  tiud^'r  are  so  valuable,  deserves  the  parti- 
cular attention  of  American  and  European  foresters.  They  should  sow 
the  acorns  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  and  wherever  the  soil  is  incapable 
of  cultivation.  Thousands  of  young  plants  already  exist  in  the  vicinity  of 
Paris. 

PLATE  IX. 
.'/  branch  irllh  leaves  and  fruit  of  I  lie  natural  sizr. 
[See  Nultall's  Supplement,  Vol.  1,  p.  23.] 


YELLOW  OAK. 


Qdercus  PRTxrs  AcrjiiNATA.      Q.  f  His  lnn;x('  pflio/alis,  acitminatis,  sub-seqital- 
iter  dintatis  ;  fruclu  incdiocri  ;  cupula  aublicmisphiprica. 

Qucrcus  castanca.    Wim.d. 

TiiF.  banks  of  the  Delaware  may  be  assumed  as  the  northern  limit  of 
the  Yellow  Oak.  It  scarcely  exists  in  the  maritime  parts  of  the  Southern 
States,  where  I  have  seen  oidy  a  few  stocks  near  Two  Sisters'  Ferry  on 
the  Savannah  in  Georgia,  and  a  single  one  on  the  Cape  Fear,  a  mile  from 
Fayetteville  in  North  Carolina.  In  the  Middle  and  Western  States,  though 
more  common,  it  is  still  rare  in  comparison  with  many  other  trees,  and  is 
sometimes  lost  sight  of  by  the  traveller  for  several  days  in  succession.  I 
have  most  particularly  observed  it  on  the  small  river  Concstoga  near  Lan- 
caster in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  Monongahela  a  little  above  Pittsburg,  and 
in  several  small  tracts  near  the  Ilolston  and  Nolachukyin  East  Tennessee. 


'I 


1 


(>i/i/ti..<    /'     i/<, ■///;//////, f . 


,sl 


c\ 


lo 
lb 
tu 


vi:lli»\v  (>a  k. 


I 


In  tlie  Moiin;;r:i[)!iy  nl'  AiiiciiiMii  Oaks,  my  iiiilii'r  takos  iiolict!  of  its  oxis- 
t(Mice  id  tlie  coniiliv  ol'llic  lUincis. 

Near  l.aiii'asU'r  tliis  tree  is  callfd  Yi'Ilow  Oak,  I'loin  tin' comiili'vioii  n[' 
ils  wooil  ;  Imt  in  nilici-  pails  ot  liic  I  i.itcil  Stales  il  is  roiirouinlcil  will)  llic 
Ciiusiuit  While  Oak  anil  Kock  (licsnui  '  )ak,  lu  wliicli  il  jji'ais  siinn!  roscni- 
Ijlancc  ill  its  folia  j', 

'I'iic  leaves  aic  lanriciate,  aeuminale,  le'/nlarly  tnoMieil,  of  a  ii^lit  "reeii 
ai)'ivc  and  \vliiii>li  lieneaili.  Tlie  small  ai'oiiis  are  contained  in  sliyiitly 
scaly  cn[)s,  and  are  swi'eler  llian  iLose  ol  any  olh'  r  speeies  in  tlie  I  nitcd 
Mates. 

The  Vt  ilow  Oak  is  a  fuu!  tree,  70  or  SO  feet  lii'^li  and  "i  feel  :ii  diameter, 
villi  brunelies  tendinis;  rather  to  close  ronnd  liie  tnndi  than  to  dilliisi! 
IheinsL'lvL'S  horizontally.  I  invariaidy  fonnd  M  in  valleys  wIhmc  llie  soil 
was  loose,  doep  and  I'ertilc.  The  li  uk  upon  the  trunk  is  whitish,  very 
.sti^ditly  liirrowcd,  and  sometimes  divided  into  plates,  like  tiiat,  of  ihc 
Swamp  While  Oak,  The  wood  is  yellowish,  thon'j;h  the  tint  is  not  bright 
eiioiinh  to  111  il  lor  peculiar  uses.  Ils  ])ores  are  jiartly  ohlilerated,  irr(.'L,ni- 
liU'ly  disposed,  and  niort,'  nnineroiis  than  those  of  anv  oilier  Anu'rican  Oak: 
this  nrt);ani/cation  must  impair  its  strcii'^th  and  render  it  less  dmaMe  than 
the  C  liesnul  While  Oak  and  the  l{ock  ("hesnut  Oak. 

As  this  tree  is  so  thinly  disseminated,  il  will  not  app  lar  siirprisin|jf  Ihnt 
I  slioulil  not  have  witnessed  the  ap])licalinn  of  its  wood  in  the  arts,  or  have 
found  occasions  of  accurately  ai)precialinu;  i's  fpialilies.  Its  a'^reeahle 
ibrm  and  boautil'ul  foliage  render  it  proper  for  the  einbellisluncnl  of  pic- 
turesque gardens. 


PLATJO  X. 
,1  branch  u'llh  haves  and  frail  of  the  natural  size. 


.  I  '.'S  J 


SMALL   C:ili:SNUT   OAK. 


Cii  KRcus  riiiNra  ciiiNfAi'iv.      (^. J'd/lifi  o/ioratis  irroum-  (knlalis,  suIjUih  :^l(iiici3  ; 
ci'jiula  /lunitjt/iiiiUui ;  glamlc  ovulu, 

QucrciiH  |irini)iilc'N,  Wii.i.d. 

In  tlic  Xortliorn  and  Middle  States  tlils  picKy  littlu  spcc'ip.s  is  railed 
Small  or  Dwarf  ("lifsmil  Oak,  iVoiii  the  ri'.sciMhiaiice  of  its  Icavt's  to  tiiosc 
of  till-  llock  C'lii'smit  l>ak;  as  llicri-  is  also  a  likfncss  hi'twci'ii  its  lolia<^o 
and  llmt  of  the  Cliiiicapiii,  it  is  known  in  V.\\\\.  'I'liinessee  and  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  Carolinas  liy  the  name  of  Cliincapin  Oak. 

The  Small  Chesmit  Oak  is  not  ^fenerally  diirused,  hut  is  rare  in  many 
plares  adapted  to  its  constitution,  and  is  usually  found  in  particular  districts, 
where,  alone  or  uiinifled  with  the  IJcar  Oak,  it  sometime  covers  tracts  of 
more  than  IIK)  acres.  'I'he  presence  of  these  species  is  a  certain  pmof  of 
the  harrenness  of  the  soil.  I  have  parlicidarly  observed  the  Small  Chesimt 
Oak  in  the  vicinity  of  ['rovidence  in  Kliode  Island,  of  Alhany  in  \c\v 
York,  of  Kuowille  in  'I'cuiii'ssee,  and  on  the  Allei^liany  Mountains  in  \  ir- 
jiinia.  It  grows  spontaneously  in  the  park  of  Mr.  W.  Ilaniilton  near  Phil- 
adelphia. 

This  s[)ecies,  and  another  which  is  found  in  the  I'ine  forests  of  the 
Southern  Siatts,  raiely  exceed  3(.)  inches  in  height:  they  arc  the  most 
diminutive  of  the  American  Oaks,  and  are  mentioned  only  to  comjilele  the 
series. 

The  leaves  of  the  Small  Clipsnnt  Oalc  are  oval-acuminate,  regularly  hut 
not  deeply  denticulated,  of  a  li^ht  green  ahove  and  whitish  heneath.  'J'he 
acorns  are  enclosril  lor  one-third  of  their  length  in  scaly  sessile  nips  ;  tiny 
are  of  uiiddle  si,^e,  somewhat  elongated,  simihuly  rounded  at  Loth  emls, 
and  very  sweet. 

Nature  seems  to  have  souglit  a  compensation  for  the  diminutive  size  of 
this  shrub  in  the  aimndance  of  its  fruit:  the  stem,  which  is  sometimes  no 
biLjger  than  a  (piill,  is  stretclied  at  full  length  upon  the  ground  by  the 
weight  of  the  thickly  clustering  acorns.  Inited  with  the  Hear  Oak,  which 
is  of  the  same  size  and  e(pi.i'ily  [irolillc,  perhaps  it  might  be  cidtivated  with 
advantage  for  its  fruit. 

PLATE  XL 

,i  branch  with  haves  aud  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 
[See  Nuttall's  Supplement,  Vol.  1,  p.  23.  J 


Small  ('l\(\snul   Oak 


( 


'//,■/■(■.•/■• 


r-  .-A 


'mix '/'III 


'/" 


li 


i! 


nU 


m 


ft  ■';../.,„/.'■  ./■/' 


//   /. 


l.ive  Oak 

('J.'/, /<•//.>■  I't/rfhw 


///. 


1 


I 


L     •-'"     J 


MVK  OAK. 


ClrKKci's  viRKNS.  Q.foHh  pcrnmanlihux,  coriucrh,  ovafn-nliliDi'iis,  JuniorHiin 
(knfitlis,  vctiisl'iDrihiis  inlru^ri.s ;  ciipttld  ttirbtinilii,  sijiiainulii  a/jl/rii  lalin  ; 
g/uiule  vbhit'^d. 

Tins  si)('i'I,'>;,  wli'icli  is  coiifiiiril  tii  tin;  iiiiui'inii'  p'uts  of  tlu'  Soullicrn 
Slati.-.s,  tlic  l'"li)ii(!,is  iiii'l  Louisiana,  is  kiinwii  only  hy  tin;  iiamu  of  l/ivc 
Oak.  'I'lu'  climatr  hrcoiui's  iiiiKi  oiuiuili  lor  its  !j;r()\vlli  near  Noilnlk  in 
Vii'^inia,  tlioiiuli  il  is  less  miilti|)ru'il  ami  Irss  viuoioiis  lliaii  in  a  iikho 
soiitlicrii  laliiiidc.  I''i(iui  Noil'njk  il  siHcails  alcirj,'  tin'  roast  lor  a  ilisiancc 
oI'IjUOoi  1801)  miles,  cxhMurm'j;  Iirvoml  lln'  moiiili  ol'  tin;  .Mississippi, 
The  sea  air  seems  essential  to  its  existence,  lor  il  is  larcly  loinnl  in  the 
forests  upon  tiio  main  laml,  and  never  more  than  l.'j  or  20  miles  from  the 
shore. 

Il  is  the  most  alunulant,  the  most  fully  (levelopeJ,  and  of  the  licst  (jual- 
ity  about  the  hays  ami  ereelcs,  au.l  on  the  lerlilt'  i-lamls,  Avhieh  in  <,oeat 
numbers  lie  seaUeied  t'oi  S(;veial  hiindii'd  miles  alomj;  tlie  coast,  I  pariicii- 
larly  observed  it  on  the  islands  ol'  St.  Sinion,  Cuinhciland,  .Sapelo,  etc., 
])et\veen  the  St.  John  and  the  ^i.  .Ma:y,  i:i  an  I'xeursioii  of  -100  or  TiOO 
miles  in  a  canoe,  from  Cape  (,'anaver.d  in  f/ast  lloiida  to  Savannah  in 
(ieorifia.  I  freipu'iilly  saw  it  upon  the  beach,  or  halt'  buried  in  the  mova- 
ble sands  upon  the  downs,  wheieit  hail  pii'served  its  freshness  and  vii^our, 
tliiniiih  exposed  timing  a  hmii,'  lapse  of  time  to  the  liny  oi'  tjie  wintry  teni- 
})est  and  to  the  ardour  of  the  sununer's  sun. 

The  Live  Oak  is  commonly  tO  or  l.j  feet  in  heiii;hl,  and  from  one  to  two 
feel  ill  diameter ;  but  il  is  sometimes  mucii  larger;  Mr.  S.  presidenl  of 
llie  Agricultural  vSociety  of  Charleston,  assured  me  that  he  liml  t'elled  a 
trunk,  hollowed  by  ai;e,  which  was  "21  feel  in  circumlereuce.  Like  most 
other  trees,  it  has,  when  insulated,  a  wide  and  tufted  summit.  Its  trunk 
is  sometimes  undivided  for  IS  or  20  I'eel,  but  otten  ramifies  at  half  tiiis 
height,  and  at  a  distance  lias  the  app<'arancc  of  an  old  Apple  Tree  or 
Pear  Tree.  The  leaves  are  oval,  coriaceou-;,  of  a  daik  green  above  and 
whitish  beneath  ;  they  persist  during  sever  d  years,  and  are  partially  re- 
newed every  spiiiig.  On  trees  reared  upon  plantaiions,  or  growing  iu 
cool  soils,  they  are  one  half  larger,  and  are  often  denticulaied  ;  upon  stocks 
of  two  or  three  years  they  are  commonly  very  distinctly  toothed. 

The  acorns  are  of  an  elongaleil  oval  ibrni,  nearly  bhudv,  and  contained 
in   shallow,  grayish  pedunculated  cups.       The   Indians   are  said  to  have 


.i-^'i 


expressed  an  oil  from  thein  to  mingle  with  their  food  ;  perhaps,  also,  they 


30 


LI  V  i:    ()  A  K. 


ate  the  kpinol,  wliich,  tlioii'/h  n 


bitter  tl 


ol   ;ii.;i('(>;ilili'  to  tlio  taste,  is  loss  rouijh  niid 


III  tl 


i;il  nl   iiKiiiy  ollii'i-  s|Kcii's. 


'11 


II!  Iruil  IS  sdiiu'liiiii's  very  ahiiii- 


ilnnt,  and  it  gcnninates  willi  sucli  caso   llial  if  llio  wcalhcr  is  rainy  at  (he 
season  of  its  luatiirilv,  many  acoins  arc  limnd   upim  the   trees  witli   Ihc^ 
raiiieK  iiiiUiKied. 

The  \)aik  u\Hm  the  trimk  is  blarkisli,  liani,  and  thick.  'I'iie  wood  is 
heavy,  compaet,  fme-j^nained,  and  ol'  a  ydhnvish  eohir,  wliicii  deepens 
as  the  tree  advances  in  a^e.  Tlie  numlicraiid  chiseiiess  ot'the  eonoeiilrieal 
ciiek's  evince  tlie  slowness  of  its  <;ro\vth.  As  it  is  very  strong;,  and  ineoiu- 
parahly  more  dural)io  than  the  iiest  White  Oak,  it  is  hiudily  esteemed  in 
ship  l)iiildiii'.]f,  and  is  eonsiimi'd  not  only  in  the  coiinlrv  whii  h  produces  it, 
])iit  slill  mori'  extensively  in  the  Xorthcin  States.  From  its  j^reat  diirahi- 
lity  when  jierfeelly  seasoned,  it  is  almost  exclusively  employed  for  the 
upper  part  of  the  frame.  To  compensate  its  excessive  weight  it  is  joined 
with  die  Ixcii  Cedar,  which  is  exti'ciiu'lv  li  dil  and  e(|ua!lv  lasliier. 

Tlie  f^i  •(■  Oak  docs  not  adbrd  lar!j,i;  timber;  but  its  wiile  ami  hranchinj:; 
summit  makes  amends  for  this  (lisad\'antaLre  by  I'urnishinii  a  'j,rcat  number 
of  knees,  of  which  tin  re  is  never  a  snllicicnt  (junniily  in  the  doi'k-yards. 

The  vessels  built  at  New  York  and  Pliiladcljihia,  with  the  upjici'  frame 
of  Ivcd  Cedar  and  1/ive  Oalc,  and  tlii!  Iowim'  timlici's  of  While  Oak.  ari'  as 
durable  as  those  constructed  of  the  best  maleiiiils  in  Europe.  Ilrckd, 
vhom  I  have  already  ijuoted,  says  that  the  best  tree-nails  are  of  lave  (Jak  ; 
but  at  present  it  is  replaced,  in  the  Southern  Stales,  by  the  Locust  and 
the  heart  of  the  Lomj;deaved  I*ine. 

In  the  South,  particularly  at  Charleston  and  Savannah,  this  species  is  used 
for  the  naves  and  fellies  of  heavy  wheels,  for  which  it  is  far  superior  to  the 
White  Oak  ;  it  is  more  proper,  als(>,  for  screws  and  for  the  cogs  of  mill- 
wheels. 

The  bark  is  excellent  for  tannini;,  but  is  only  accidentally  employed. 
Besides  the  lave  Oak  timber  expoited  to  Rni;!and,  p;reat  ([uantitics 
are  used  in  ship-building  in  the  United  Stales,  particularly  at  Boston, 
New  York,  I'hiladelphia  and  Baltimore.  The  eonsiimplion  lias  trebled 
within  twenty  years,  in  consc(iu/  iice  of  the  immense  development  of 
American  commerce,  llenec  the  price  has  doubled,  and  the  species  is 
rapidly  diminishing.  The  clearing  of  the  islands  for  the  culture  of  cotton, 
wdiieh  they  yield  of  a  superior  (puility,  has  contributed  greatly  to  its 
destruction.  It  is  already  dillicult  to  procure  sticks  of  considerable  size 
in  tlie  Southern  States,  and  tlicy  aie  sought  on  the  western  coast  of  East 
Florida  between  the  St.  Mary  and  the  St.  John.  From  St.  Augustine  to 
the  Capo  the  species  is  rarer  ;  but  we  are  informed  that  it  abounds  on  the 
shores  of  West  Florida,  whither  the  English  of  the  Bahama  Islands  resort 
for  supplies. 

As  the  Live  Oak,  from  the  peculiarities  of  its  constitution,  is  multiplied 


m 


OSS  routih  mid 

cs  very  iihiiii- 
s  rainy  at  I  he 
COS  with   the, 

Tlic  wonil  is 
hich  cloi'peiis 
a  c()ni''(Miti'ical 
^,  and  iiicdiu- 
■  oslceiiH'd  ill 
i  prochicos  it, 
;j;rc>at  diiiahi- 
lo\('d  for  ihu 
t  it  is  JDined 
Jtinp;. 

nd  binnnhinc; 
'j,i(".it  nuii)l)L'r 
lock-ynrds. 
i-  u|i|)i'r  i'raiiie 
Ic  ( )aiv'.  ail'  as 
()\10.  |]irkcl, 
ol  Live  Oak  ; 
3   liocust   and 

;p('cios  is  used 
lupei'inr  to  tlie 
;  cogs  of  mill- 

emplnycd. 
3at  (puuititif's 
ly  at  Boston, 
a  has  trebled 
ivelopment  of 
he  species  is 
ure  of  cotton, 
greatly  to  its 
islderable  size 
coast  of  East 
Angustine  to 
)ounds  on  the 
Islands  resort 

,  is  multiplied 


\ 


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PI  ..< 


(oik    Oak 


PI 


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Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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31 


with  flilFiciilty,  I  cnniiot  l)ut  onnsider  i's  (lis;ipprai-nn(>('  throiip;l)oiit  llic  Uni- 
ted Sr;ito=i  wi'liin  fitly  years  as  luTirly  cer!aiii.  It  will  llu'ii  ho  fosiiid  only 
in  the  form  of  a  shnili,  like  I'le  (hi,  reus  lir.r,  which  Ibi'nieily  skilled  the 
southern  coast  of  Franco  and  Italy. 

PL  Air:  XII. 

Jl  branch  irilli  haves  and  J'rii'.i  of  the  nalurul  size, 
[Sec  Xuttall's  Supplement,  vol.  I.,  pp.  Ifi.  19.] 


CORK  OAK. 


(iuERcus  sUBER.     C^.  foliis  ovafo-oblmip^is,  indivisis,  serralis,  stibfus  glands  ; 

cnrtice  riinoso,J\iugoso, 

TiiF,  Cork  Oak  grows  naturally  in  the  southern  parts  of  France,  in  Spain, 
Portugal,  Italy  and  the  States  of  Ijarhary,  which  are  comprised  hetwcen  the 
44th  and  35th  degrees  of  latitude.  It  rarelv  exceeds  40  feet  in  heii^ht  and 
3  feet  in  diameter.  Its  leaves  arc  evergreen,  hut  the  greater  part  of  them 
fall  and  are  renewed  in  the  spring  ;  they  are  ovate,  thick,  slightly  toothed, 
of  a  light  green  on  the  upper  surface  and  glaucous  beneath.  The  acorns 
are  rather  large,  oval,  and  half  enclosed  in  a  conical  cup,  and  being  of  a 
sweetish  taste,  are  eagerly  devoured  by  swine. 

The  wood  is  hard,  compact  and  heavy,  hut  less  durable  than  that  of  the 
Common  European  Oak,  particularly  when  exposed  to  humidity.  The 
worth  of  the  tree  resides  in  its  bark,  which  begins  to  be  taken  off  at  the 
age  of  25  years.  The  first  growth  is  of  little  value ;  in  ten  years  it  is  re- 
newed ;  but  the  second  product,  though  less  cracked  than  the  first,  is  not 
thick  enough  for  corks,  and  is  used  only  by  fishermen  to  buoy  up  their 
nets.  It  is  not  till  the  tree  is  45  or  50  years  old  that  the  bark  possesses  all 
the  qualities  requisite  for  good  corks,  and  from  that  period  it  is  collected 
once  in  eight  or  ten  years.  Its  thickness  is  owing  to  the  extraordinary 
sw'elling  of  the  cellular  tissue.  It  is  better  fitted  than  any  other  substance 
for  the  use  to  which  it  is  appropriated,  as  its  elasticity  exactly  adapts  it  to 
the  neck  of  the  bottle,  and  its  impcnetiable  structure  refuses  exit  to  the 
fluid. 


1 1 
I 


32 


CORK    OAK. 


July  and  Antrust 


til 


For  th 


t\V( 


seasons  for  i:;atberinti^ 
oppo.sile  lonsi;ilU(liii;il  incisions  are  niailc;  throiiu;!!  the  wiiole  lon^flh  of  llie 
trnnk,  and  (wo  ollicrs,  Iransvinst!  to  the  first  at  tlie  oxtreniilics  ;  tlui  hnrk 
is  then  (IcIacliL-d  hy  inscrlinij;  a  liatclict-handio  sliajied  like  a  WL-dirc.  Great 
care  must  be  taken  no!  to  wound  the  alburnum,  as  the  bark  is  never 
renewed  npon  the  injured  parts.  Alter  bein^'  sciaped,  the  liark  is  heated 
on  its  convex  side,  and  laden  with  stones,  to  (hitien  it  and  render  it  easier 
of  transportation.  In  Catalonia  it  is  cut  into  pieces  and  boiled  to  improve 
its  quality.  Its  excellence  consists  in  being  compact,  supple  and  elastic, 
and  it  should  be  from  15  to  20  lines  thick. 

The  cork  produced  in  France  may  be  reckoned  at  17,000  or  18,000 
quintals,  and  when  the  sheets  are  smooth  and  even,  each  quintal  allbrds 
7,000  or  7,500  corks  18  lines  long.  The  common  price  is  a  dollar  and 
seventy  cents  a  thousand,  of  which  fifty  cents  must  be  allowed  for  the 
expense  of  making.  It  is  computed  that  110  or  115  millions  of  corks  are 
annually  consumed  in  France. 

This  tree  would  be  an  important  acquisition  to  the  United  States,  and 
would  grow  wherever  the  Live  Oak  subsists.  The  soil  of  the  pine  barrens 
is  in  general  too  meager  to  sustain  its  vegetation  ;  the  bed  of  vegetable 
mould  is  in  many  places  too  thin,  and  the  sand  beneath  so  homogeneous, 
that  the  roots  of  the  Pines,  instead  of  shooting  downward,  fold  themselves 
back,  as  if  repelled  by  a  solid  rock. 

Both  public  and  private  interest  requires  the  inhabitants  of  the  Southern 
coast,  and  especially  (he  neighbouring  islands,  to  rear  the  Cork  Oak  about 
tlieir  plantations,  and  in  places  that  are  unfit  for  (he  cultivation  of  cotton. 
It  should  also  be  introduced  in'o  West  Tennessee,  and  with  the  more  rea- 
son as  the  Vine  may  be  cultivated  there  wilh  success. 

As  the  young  stocks  are  injured  liy  traiisplanlinc;;,  they  should  be  per- 
manently fixed  the  secoiul  or  third  year.  To  favour  their  growth,  the 
earth  should  be  loosed  about  the  roots  two  or  three  times  a  year  ;  and  to 
render  them  tall  and  well  shaped,  the  lower  brandies  should  be  cut  even 
with  the  trunk.  Their  vegetation  is  in  this  manner  strengthened  and  the 
bark  improved  ;  without  further  attention  they  will  continue  to  afford  a 
valuable  product  during  two  or  three  centuries. 

This  tree  has  great  advantages  over  several  others  which  would  likewise 
flourish  in  the  same  parts  of  the  United  States,  such  as  the  Olive  and  the 
White  INIulberry.  To  fit  their  produce  for  consumption,  particularly  that 
of  the  IMulberry,  requires  complicated  processes,  which  can  be  performed 
with  advantage  only  in  populous  countries.  Hence  the  attempts  made  70 
or  80  years  ago  in  Georgia  to  introduce  the  rearing  of  silk  worms  proved 
abortive  ;  and  the  old  White  Mulberry  Trees  that  still  remain  are  monu- 
ments of  that  ill-calculated  speculation.  The  bark  of  the  Cork  Oak,  on 
the  contrary,  might  be  transported  to  the  Northern  States,  or  made  into 


purpose  two 
MiL,Mh  of  (he 
's  ;  tlie  bark 
'duje.  Great 
irk  is  never 
rk  is  heated 
tier  it  easier 
to  improve 
incl  elastic, 

or  18,000 
[ital  aflbrds 

dollar  and 
ed  for  the 
if  corks  are 

States,  and 
ne  barrens 
vegelable 
lOgeneous, 
hemselves 

:  Southern 
Oak  about 
of  cotton, 
moi'e  rea- 

1  be  per- 
owth,  the 
■ ;  and  to 

cut  even 
1  and  the 

afford  a 


likewise 
and  the 
arly  that 
?rformed 
Tiade  70 
;  proved 
B  monu- 
Oak,  on 
de  into 


//.'/;y.,,/.-,// 


mow  Oak. 

(Jilt /cii,'-  r/u //(>,<• . 


(L, 


/'/ 


I  1 


corks  upon  llie  spot  by  a  simpld  operation  perforiiu'ii   by  a  single  person 
with  iniplumonts  of  which  the  price  docs  not  exceed  two  or  three  dolhus. 


pLATi:  Mir. 

.?  brunch  with  huvn  (aid  J)  nit  i>f  titc  nulurul  nizc. 


WILLOW  OAK. 


QiiKiicirs  puELi.os.  Q,  foUia  !!iicrirl.!(incrof(tth,  infrs^rrrhnis,  s;Iahrh,  npicc 
sefacrn-ficiDiiiiiafIs,  junioriljus  cUnlalis  lobiili^vc  ;  aipitln  sculellutd  ;  gUinde 
subrolund(\,ininiind. 


\        \V 


This  species,  which  is  rcmarlcable  for  its  fulia2;e,  makes  its  first  appear- 
ance in  tlie  environs  of  Philadel[)hia  ;  but  it  is  more  common  and  of  a  lar- 
ger size  in  Virginia,  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  wliere  the  milder  tempera- 
ture of  the  winter  is  evidently  iavonrable  to  its  growth.  It  is  seen,  how- 
ever, only  in  the  maritime  parts  of  those  States,  and  is  a  stranger  to  the 
inland  districts,  whore  the  surface  is  mountainous  and  the  climate  inoie 
severe.  From  the  analogy  of  soil  and  clim-i*(',  ii  is  ]irobahly  found  in 
Lower  liOuisiana,  but  I  have  never  observed  it  beyond  the  Alleghanies  in 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

The  Willow  Oak  commonly  grows  in  cool  moist  places,  and  with  the 
Tupelo,  the  Small  IMagnolia,  the  Red-dowering  >biple,  the  Red  15ay  and 
the  Water  Oak,  it  borders  the  swamps  in  the  low^  ;nrt  of  the  Southern 
States.  In  these  situations  it  attains  its  greatest  e.\^)ansion,  which  is  50 
or  GO  feet  in  height,  and  from  20  to  24  inches  in  diameter.  The  trunk, 
even  at  an  advanced  age,  is  covered  with  a  smooth  bark,  remarkable  for 
the  thickness  of  its  cellular  tissue.  The  leaves  are  2  or  3  inches  long,  of 
a  light  green,  smooth,  narrow,  entire,  and  similar  to  those  of  the  Willow, 
whence  is  derived  the  name  of  Willow  Oak,  which  is  used  in  every  part 
of  North  America  where  the  tree  is  known. 

Though  the  Willow  Oak,  as  I  have  just  observed,  is  almost  always  seen 
in  moist  grounds,  by  an  exception  for  which  it  is  difllcult  to  account,  it  is 
sometimes  found   among  the   Live  Oaks,  near  the  sea,  in  the  driest  and 
5 


M 


I  ■  1 


34 


F.Ai  uj:l  oak. 


most  siiiidy  soils.  At  ii  distaiu'C  it  rcspmhies  tlic  Live  Oak  in  its  shape, 
iiiicl  in  ils  foliiiL,'!',  whicli  persists  diiriii;^  several  years;  but  on  a  closer 
t'xaminalion  it  is  easily  distinguished  by  the  t'orni  of  its  leaves,  which  are 
shorter  and  nuich  narrower,  and  by  the  porous  texture  of  ils  wood. 

The  fruit  of  this  species  is  rarely  abundant ;  the  acorns  are  of  a  dark 
brown  colour,  sniall,  round,  very  billcr,  and  contained  in  shallnw  cups 
lightly  coated  with  scales;  ko[)t  in  a  cool  phice  ihcy  preserve  the  facully 
of  i;erniination  tor  sc\  I'r.d  inonlhs. 

'J'hc  wood  is  rc'I'lish  and  coarso-p;raine(l.  Tl  is  tf)o  porous  to  contain 
■\vine  or  spirituous  licpior,  and  its  slaves  arc  classeil  with  those  of  Red  Oak. 
The  quantity,  however,  is  small,  as  the  tree  is  so  little  nuiltiplied,  that 
nloiie  it  would  not  supply  the  eonsuniplion  for  two  ycais.  In  some  of  the 
lower  parts  of  Virf^inia,  particularly  in  the  county  of  V'ork,  it  is  found  to 
possess  great  strength  and  tenacity,  and  to  split  less  easily  than  the  While 
Oak  ;  hence,  afier  being  thoroughly  seasoned,  it  is  employed  for  the  fellies 
of  wheels.  These  are  the  only  uses  lo  which  it  seems  adapted,  and  for 
these  it  is  less  proper  than  the  Post  Oak  and  While  Ash.  On  several 
plantations  near  Augusta  in  Georgia,  the  fences  are  made  partly  of  Willow 
Oak,  which  lasts  only  eiglit  or  nine  years.  As  fuel,  it  is  sold  al  the  lowest 
price. 

PLATE  XIV. 

A  branch  icith  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 

[See  Nuttall's  Supplement,  Vol.  1,  p.  15.] 


LAUREL  OAK. 


QuERcus  IMBRICARIA.     Q.folHs  subsessUibus,  ovali-oblongis,  acutis,  integcrri- 
mis,  nitidis  ;  glande  subhemisphxricA. 

East  of  the  Alleghanies  this  species  is  rare,  and  has  received  no  specific 
name  ;  west  of  the  mountains,  where  it  is  more  multiplied  and  has  attracted 


A 


I.MIirl    ();iL 

(  hi,  I  /  //. .     ////  /v  y,  V II  -I,  I . 


• 

mow 

from 

prcsc 

the  n 

I  ( 

the  J 

exist 

moiir 

parts 

appe 

place 
Lath 

In 

only 
Laui 

hum 

that 

imm 
bear 

T 

Itsti 

its  h 

the 

folia 

grce 

i. 

is  b 

it,  a 

Frei 

muc 

onl} 
Oak 

T 

tion 

of  e 

li 


LAUREL   OAK. 


35 


moR'  attention,  it  is  called  Jack  Oak,  Black  Jack  Oak,  and  sometimes, 
from  the  form  of  its  leaves,  Laurel  Oak.  The  last  denomination  I  have 
preserved  as  the  most  appropriate,  though  perhaps  it  is  less  common  than 
the  first. 

I  observed  this  tree  for  the  first  time  in  Pennsylvania,  near  Bedford,  on 
the  Juniata,  upon  the  road  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg,  and  it  does  not 
exist  in  the  more  northern  States.  I  found  it  abundant  only  beyond  the 
mountains,  and  particularly  near  Washington  Court-house,  and  in  some 
parts  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  From  my  father's  observations,  it 
appears  to  be  more  multiplied  in  the  country  of  the  Illinois  than  in  the 
places  I  have  just  mentioned,  and  it  is  called  by  the  French  Clterie  a  lattes, 
Lath  Oak. 

In  the  western  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  small  lawns,  covered 
only  with  tall  grass,  are  frequently  seen  in  the  forests,  around  which  the 
Laurel  Oak  forms  entire  groves :  insulated  stocks  are  also  found  in  cool 
humid  situations.  It  is  probable  from  its  flourishing  in  open  exposures 
that  it  is  most  abundant  in  the  country  of  the  Illinois,  which  consists  of 
immeasurable  savannas  stretching  in  every  direction,  to  which  the  forests 
bear  no  sensible  proportion. 

The  Laurel  Oak  is  40  or  50  feet  high,  and  12  or  15  inches  in  diameter. 
Its  trunk,  even  when  old,  is  clad  in  a  smooth  bark,  and  for  three-fourths  of 
its  heicht  is  laden  with  branches.  It  has  an  uncouth  form  when  bared  in 
the  winter,  but  is  beautiful  in  the  summer  when  clad  in  its  thick,  tufted 
foliage.  The  leaves  are  long,  lanceolate,  entire,  and  of  a  light,  shining 
green. 

The  wood  is  hard  and  heavy,  though  its  pores  arc  open.  As  the  trunk 
is  branchy  and  often  crooked,  it  is  considered,  wherever  I  have  observed 
it,  as  fit  only  for  fuel  ;  but  my  fiither,  who  first  described  it,  says  that  the 
French  of  Illinois  use  it  for  shingles.  Probably  in  that  region  it  attains 
much  greater  dimensions ;  but  in  my  opinion  the  want  of  beiier  species 
only  can  account  for  its  use.  Its  wood  is  inferior  to  that  of  the  Willow 
Oak,  which  it  nearly  resembles. 

This  tree  has  no  merit  but  its  singular  foliage,  and  it  deserves  the  atten- 
tion only  of  amateurs  desirous  of  adorning  their  rural  retreats  with  a  variety 
of  exotic  trees. 


PLATE  XV. 


^fj  branch  with  Iccwvs  uml  fndt  of  tlir  naturul  size. 


'% 


i 


} 


I    -"'^i   '} 


UPLAND   WILLOW-OAK. 

Q,UERCVS  ciNEREA.  Q.  folus  pctiohttis,  lctncroI(ito-ob/()ns;is,  acutis,  i)ifcp;rn-L 
mis,  sttbliis  cinereo-pubescoitibtts ;  cupuld  sculdlatu;  g/unde  tiubhcmi- 
sphiericu. 

The  Upland  Willow-Oak  is  confined  to  the  maritime  parts  of  the  South- 
ern States.  It  is  little  multiplied  in  comparison  with  many  other  species, 
and  is  dispersed  in  small  groups  in  the  forests  of  White  Pine.  It  is  found 
also  upon  the  sea-shore,  and  upon  the  islands,  where  it  covers  tracts  of 
several  acres,  still  more  harren  than  the  main.  But  the  stocks  which  ii^row 
in  these  different  situations  are  so  dillerent  in  appearance  that  they  might 
easily  be  mistaken  for  distinct  species  :  in  the  pine  Ixnrcns  they  are  18  or 
20  feet  high,  and  4  or  5  inches  in  diameter,  with  the  leaves  entire,  2i 
inches  long,  and  whitish  underneath  ;  on  the  islands  and  on  the  shore  of 
the  continent,  where  the  soil  is  extremely  dry,  as  near  Wilmington,  N.  C, 
they  are  only  3  or  4  feet  in  height,  and  the  leaves  are  denticulated,  arc  an 
inch  in  length,  and  persist  for  two  years.  I  have  ascertained  that  both 
varieties  belong  to  the  same  species,  by  examining  the  sprouts  of  the  larger 
stocks  in  the  pine  barrens,  of  which  the  foliage  is  perfectly  similar  to  that 
of  the  smaller  ones  on  the  shore. 

The  Upland  Willow-Oak  is  one  of  the  abject  trees  that  succeed  the  Pines 
on  lands  which  have  been  cleared  for  cultivation  and  abandoned  on 
account  of  their  sterility.  In  these  places,  as  in  the  pine  barrens,  it  is  '20 
feet  in  stature,  and  its  trunk,  crooked  and  covered  with  a  thick  bark,  begins 
at  a  third  of  this  height  to  divide  by  numerous  ramilications.  In  the 
spring- it  is  distinguished  at  a  distance  by  the  reddish  colour  of  its  leaves 
and  male  amenls.  The  acorns,  which  are  contained  in  shallow  cups,  are 
round  and  blackish,  with  the  base  of  a  bright  rose  colour  when  freshly 
exposed.     It  is  rare  to  meet  with  a  Iree  which  yields  a  quart  of  fruit. 

The  bark  of  this  species,  like  that  of  the  ]>lack  Oak,  allbrds  a  beaut'ful 
yellow  dye  ;  but  the  tree  is  so  small  and  so  little  multiplied  that  it  is  of  no 
utility  in  this  respect,  nor  even  for  fuel. 

The  Quercus  nana  of  Willdenow  is  certainly  the  smaller  variety  of  this 
spec;  ■^. 

PLATE  X\T. 

t^  brunch  with  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  nntural  fsizc.     Fig.  1,  .^  leaf  of  flip 
smaller  varirtj/  of  the  naltiral  sisr. 


I 


i)ites;rrn. 
nubhcmi' 


the  South- 
r  species, 
't  is  found 
i  tracts  of 
iiich  £;ro\v 
hey  might 
are  18  or 
entire,  2h 
!  shore  of 
m,  N.  C, 
3(J,  arc  an 
that  both 
the  hirger 
lar  to  that 

the  Pines 
loiied  on 
's,  it  is  20 
■k,  begins 
.  In  the 
its  leaves 
cups,  are 
en  freshly 
ruit. 

beaut' ful 
it  is  of  no 

y  of  this 


eaf  of  file 


I 


It 


r  J  iirJout,-  .M 


I   |)l:iml  \\il|,m  Oak 

(>fi(/ (■//,■■  <//i(/((i 


/it'Uttet  f"i7/y' 


I' ' 


}\ii lining'  Oak 
(//wrct/,*-  ot/on/ti . 


/it-/l,l/i/  I 'fY/.^'  ( 


III     : 


/l.;,.,r,{  .■,■„.',■  . 


3 
t 
d 
0 


■V 


r 
1/ 


V 


,H 


ll 


I 


I 


I    r,    J 


•  i 


llUNNINd   OAK. 


;) 


^ 


(ii'Kncus  riiMiLA.      Q.  fol'tix  ihrlilnis,  hinronhilh,  Inti  '^rrrhniH,  Ikis!  (tllenUdlls, 
tij)ici:  itll((l(il!n  ;   ciijiuhi  sct<l<llal(i  ;    ::/tiiiilr  xiih/u  iiiisji/m  rira, 

(illLTCll;!  Sfriccil,   Wll.T.I). 

This  species,  wliicli  is  rarely  nu)re  tiiaii  00  iiielies  ia  lieiLrlit  and  2  lines 
in  diameter,  is  tlic  smallest  Oak  hitliertn  discovered  in  the  Old  or  the  Xew 
Woiid.  Like  tlie  I  pland  AVilli)\v-Oak,  it  iscnnfuied  to  the;  maiilime  parts 
of  the  Carolinas,  Georgia  and  the  Floridas,  where  iliseaUed  Riinnin<r  Oak. 
It  springs  with  that  species  in  the  piiif-licrrcns,  amid  the  numeious  vaiieties 
of  \\'hortlel)erry  and  other  jilanls  wliicli  oveispiead  the  <i,r()nnd  wherever 
there  is  a  little  moisture  in  the  soil  and  the  layer  of  vegetable  mould  is  a 
few  inches  thick. 

The  leaves  of  tliis  dwarfish  shrul)  are  of  a  retldish  tint  in  the  spring,  and 
turn  green  as  the  season  advances.  When  fully  develop((l  they  an;  entire, 
smooth,  of  au  elongated  oval  shape,  and  alioul  -2  iiu'lies  in  length.  The 
acorns  are  small,  round,  ami  similar  to  iliosc  of  llie  Willow  and  Water 
Oaks;  tliey  are  few  in  mimher,  because  the  stem  is  burnt  to  the  surl'ace  of 
the  ground  almost  every  spring,  by  the  fue  which  is  kindled  in  tlu>  forests 
to  consume  the  dead  grass;  as  this  spi.'cii'S  belongs  to  the  division  whose 
fructification  is  biennial,  the  acorns  are  destroyed  belbre  they  arrive  at 
maturity. 

My  own  observations,  and  those  of  ^fessrs.  15osc  and  Delille,  distin- 
guished botanists  who  resided  several  years  in  the  Southern  part  of  the 
United  States,  have  led  me  to  consider  the  llunning  Oak  as  a  dislinet 
species,  and  not  as  a  variety  of  tiie  Willow  Oak,  as  my  father  has  treated 
it  in  his  i/ioiingrdphi/  of  this  important  genus.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to 
remark  that  from  its  size  it  can  be  interesting  only  to  botanists. 


PLATE  XVIL 

.2  branch  with  leaves  and  f mil  of  the.  natural  size. 


i 


C   -i^   J 


IIAHTUAM  ()\  K. 

QvERcui  iiETERonivt.T.A.     (^.  foJi'iH  loiicci'  prl'ioldtts,  nriito.faiicroliitit,  iiifi  c^rif 
vel  inii'qualilcr  ihntalin  ;  glutnle  suhf^luhomi, 

Evr.iiY  botanist  who  has  visited  cliU'ciL'ni  rop;ioiis  of  the  |j;l()h(!  imist  liavc 
rcniaikt'd  certain  species  of  vc'}^etal)lL's  which  arc  so  little  nuihiplicil  that 
tliey  scorn  liiiely  at  no  dislaiit  i)eri(id  to  disappear  from  the  earth.  To 
this  chiss  I)eloMi,'s  the  liiiitrani  Oal;.  Several  ICiii;lish  and  American 
naturalists  who,  like  my  father  and  mysi'If,  have  spent  years  in  explorinj^ 
the  I'nited  States,  and  who  have  ohlitfini^'ly  comnumieated  to  us  the  result 
of  tlieir  ohservatioMs,  have,  like  us,  found  no  traces  of  this  species  except 
a  sin;j;le  slock  in  a  field  helonL^ini,^  .M;.  Dartrani,  on  the  banks  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill, 4  ndles  from  Philadelphia,  'i'his  is  a  llourishiii!.!;  tree, ;}()  feel  in  liei^ht 
and  8  inches  in  diameter,  and  seems  formed  to  attain  a  much  ^'reater 
develoi)ment.  Its  leaves  are  of  an  elon;j;ated  oval  form,  coarsely  and  irre- 
gularly toothed,  smooth  above,  and  heiualh  of  a  dark  green.  The  acorns 
are  round,  of  a  middle  si;<e,  and  contained  in  shallow  cups  liyhtly  covered 
with  sc.des. 

I  was  at  first  disposed  to  consider  this  tree  as  a  variety  of  the  Ijaurel 
Oak,  to  which  it  bears  the  ^neatest  ailinity  ;  but  the  leaves  of  that  species 
are  never  indented,  and  nut  a  stock  of  it  exists  within  a  hundred  miles  of 
Philadelphia. 

Several  young  jilaiits,  which  I  received  fiom  .Mr.  liartiam  himself,  have 
been  placed  iu  our  public  gardens  to  insure  the  preservation  of  the 
species. 

PLATE  XVIII.* 

»/f  branch  ivilh  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  naUirul  size, 

[See  NuttalPs  Supplement,  vol.  I.  p.  15,  by  wliich  it  appears  that  this 
tree  has  been  discovered  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio.] 


*  [Erroneously  referred  to  iii  Niittall  aa  philc  IC.J 


'utif,  inli  i^Ti$  , 


K!  must,  liave 
lUipliuil  ihiit 

ciiilh.  To 
id  Amrricau 
in  exploring; 
us  the  result 
ccies  except 
'the  Sehuyl- 
eet  in  liui^lit 
luch  ^leiiter 
ely  and  irre- 

The  acorns 
litly  covered 

r  tlic  Laurel 
that  species 
hed  miles  of 


Ltion    oi'   tllQ 


nry  that  this 


i 


i 


/\.  tS 


l^arh-.un's  Oak 


J 
*■ 


i 


•!./,,.',.M^ 


W'.Ucr  Oak 
Oiirniix  (uniirfh'ii . 


Pn/'/rtu/  ''.'i/f 


y 


K 


/ 


l^''   ! 


Y       / 


fl«.'m,„/X«/.' 


r  -^'-^  ] 


WATER    OAK. 

(iuEiicrs  AQPATicA.     Q.  foli's  nhovdH-cunrnfls,  bast  acut'is,  srimmllate.  sitbtn- 
tigris,  varifve Irihliis,  i^'labiis ;  ciipulit  modicc  ci'ulciald  ;  glunde  suhgfobond. 

This  species  first  nUinctetl  my  attention  in  the  forests  near  Richmond 
in  Virginia  ;  it  liccomes  more  common  in  proceeding  soutliward,  and 
alioiuids  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  and  in  East 
Florida.  Under  the  name  of  Water  Oak  it  is  sometimes  confounded  with 
the  ^Villow  Oak,  hy  which  it  is  always  accompanied  in  the  ponds  and 
narrow  swamps  enclosed  in  t'  .  pine-barrens.  It  is  inferior  in  size  to  the 
AVillow  Oak,  and  rarely  exceeds  40  or  45  feet  in  height,  and  12  or  18 
inches  in  diameter.  On  full-grown  trees  the  leaves  are  smooth,  shining, 
and  pyriform  —  or  broad  and  rounded  a.  the  summit  and  terminated 
ill  an  acute  angle  at  the  base.  In  the  severe  climate  of  Virginia,  they  fall 
^vith  the  first  frost,  but  on  the  sea-shore  of  the  Carolinas,  Georgia  and 
Florida,  they  persist  during  two  or  three  years.  There  is  no  Oak  in  the 
United  iStates  of  which  the  foliage  is  so  variable  and  so  dilferent  from  that 
of  the  tree  on  the  young  stocks,  and  on  the  sprouts  from  an  old  trunk  or 
from  the  base  of  a  limb  that  has  been  lopped  :  the  leaves  arc  commonly 
oval  and  deeply  and  irregularly  toothed. 

The  acorns,  which  are  contained  in  shallow,  slighll}'  scaly  cups,  are 
brown,  small,  and  extremely  bitter  ;  the  largest  tree  rarely  yields  more 
than  five  or  six  quarts.  Like  those  of  the  Willow  Oak,  when  kept  cool 
they  preserve  their  fecundity  for  several  months. 

The  bark  upon  the  oldest  trunks  is  smooth  and  very  slightly  furrowed  ; 
it  is  little  used  in  tanning,  either  because  it  is  inferior  to  that  of  the  Spanish 
Oak,  or  because  the  tree  is  less  abundant. 

The  wood  is  very  tough,  but  less  durable  and  less  esteemed  by  carpen- 
ters and  wheel-wrights  than  that  of  the  White  Oak  and  Chesnut  White 
Oak. 

As  this  species  is  destitute  of  interest,  it  will  probably  become  extinct, 
like  many  others  which  are  rapidly  diminishing.  In  France,  it  would  nour- 
ish only  in  the  southern  dcp  rtments. 

PLATE  XIX. 

d  branch  with  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 
[See  Nuttall's  Supplement,  Vol.  1,  p.  23.] 


[     40     ] 


ELAClv  J  AC  K  OAK. 


CltTF.nctrs  FERnuoiNTA.  Q.  foHls  cor'taccii,  nummltate  ditnlatis,  retiiso-stihtri- 
lobis,  bun  relitsis,  siibtKS  rubiginoan.pulvcrulfntin  ;  cujnild  ttirbinatd,  squa- 
mis  obtitsis,  scariosis  ;  glundc  brevi  ovald. 

Qucrcus  nigra,  WiixD. 

I  observed  this  species  for  the  first  time  in  the  forests  near  Allcntown 
and  Craiibery,  small  towns  of  New  Jersey,  about  GO  miles  east  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  but  it  is  smaller  and  less  multiplied  than  further  south.  In  New 
Jersey  and  Philadelphia  it  is  called  Barrens  Oal,-,  and  P)Iack  Jack  Oak  in 
IMaryland  and  the  more  Southern  Slates.  I  have  adopted  the  last  of  these 
names  only  because  it  is  tlie  most  generally  used,  and  have  chanjTL'd  the 
specific  epithet  nigra,  because  the  name  of  the  Llack  Oak  is  appropriated 
in  the  United  Stales  to  the  Qmrciis  tinctoria. 

This  species  is  commoidy  found  upon  soils  composed  of  red  argillaceous 
sand  mingled  with  gravel,  and  so  meager  as  to  be  totally  exhausted  by 
five  or  six  crops,  when  they  arc  thought  worthy  of  cultivation.  Unhappily, 
from  Balliraore  to  the  borders  of  North  Caroliim,  an  extent  of  four  or  five 
hundred  miles,  the  greater  part  of  IMaryland  and  Virginia  consists  of  this 
soil.  The  whole  of  Ibis  interval,  with  the  exception  of  the  valleys  and  the 
swamps  with  their  surrounding  acclivities,  is  covered  with  forests  impover- 
ished by  fire  and  the  callle  that  subsist  in  them  during  a  great  part  of  the 
year.  They  are  composed  principally  of  Yellow  Pine,  Post  Oak,  Black 
Oak  and  Scarlet  Oak.  In  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  where  the  soil  gra- 
dually improves  in  retiring  from  the  shore  towards  the  mountains,  the  same 
trees  form  a  band  15  or  20  miles  wide,  between  the  piiie-barrcvs  and  the 
forests  of  a  more  generous  growth.  In  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  the 
]5]ack  Jack  Oak  is  seen  only  in  the  savannas,  where  it  is  widely  diffused, 
and  where,  preserved  by  the  thickness  of  its  bark  and  its  insulated  position 
it  survives  the  conflagrations  that  almost  every  year  consume  the  grass; 
the  fire,  driven  forward  by  the  wind,  has  only  time  to  devour  its  foliage. 
In  the  pine-harre7i  sit  grows  chiefly  on  the  edges  of  the  hranck-siramps, 
where  the  soil  is  a  little  stronger  than  is  necessary  for  the  Pines.  With 
the  L'pland  Willow-Oak,  and  the  Scrub  Oak,  it  possesses  itself  of  the  pine 
lands  that  have  been  cleared  for  cultivation  and  abandoned  on  account  of 
their  sterility  ;  and  in  these  situations  it  is  larger  than  in  the  forests. 

The  Black  Jack  Oak  is  sometimes  30  feet  high  and  8  or  10  inches  in 


I    I 


ill 


«,  rehiso-suhtn- 
urbinatd,  aqua- 

nigra,  Wii.LD. 

ear  Allcntown 

cast  of  Pliila- 

uth.     In  New 

Jack  Oak  in 

:  last  of  these 

clianirc'd   the 

appropriated 

I  argillaceous 
xhaiisted   hy 
Unhaijpily, 
"  four  or  five 
nsists  of  this 
leys  and  tlio 
sts  impover- 
t  part  of  tlie 
Oak,  VAack 
the  soil  gra- 
ns, the  same 
C71S  and  the 
inessee,  the 
-•ly  difRised, 
ted  position 
'■  the  grass  ; 

•  its  foJiage. 
ch-siramps, 
ics.  With 
of  the  pine 

account  of 
sts. 

•  inches  in 


i 

i  t 


//..,. 


r.l.u'U  -liuk  Oak 


i'lii  / 1 II.'  /. .'  /  //</i,'ti  ,1 


L 


t 
t 

'J 

V 


■ 


BR  All    OAK. 


41 


diameter,  but  ('(iinnioiily  docs  not  rxcccd  liiilf  llicsr  (liiiieiisinns.  Its  tniiik 
is  (jrcne rally  crnnkcd,  and  is  rovorcd  with  a  very  haid,  thick  and  dorply 
i'uiiowcd  bark,  ul'  whii'h  tliu  ('[lidriiiii  >  is  nrarly  Mack,  and  the  cellular 
tissue  of  a  ilull  red.  'J'hc  suumiil  is  spacious  even  in  the  midst  of  tiie 
^v()ods.  The  leaves  arc  yellowish,  and  somewhat  downy  at  their  unfold- 
ing in  tlie  sprin<r;  wlien  I'ully  e\'pand(;d  they  are  of  a  dark  ^reon  above, 
rusty  beneath,  thicic,  cniiacrous,  and  dilated  towards  the  summit  like  upeai-. 
In  the  autumn  they  turn  reddish  and  fall  with  the  earliest  frost. 

The  oldest  trees  bear  only  a  few  handsful  of  acorns,  which  arc  large, 
and  half  covered  with  very  scaly  cups. 

When  the  stock  is  more  than  8  inches  in  diamotor,  the  wood  is  lieavy 
and  compact;  but  coarse-grained  and  porous  bt'bre  it,has  rencjied  this 
size.  As  it  speedily  decays  when  exposed  to  the  weather,  it  is  not  used 
in  the  arts.  It  forms  excellent  fuel,  ami  is  sold  at  Philadidpliia  oidy  one 
dollar  a  cord  less  than  Hickory,  while  oiher  kinds  of  wood  are  a  third 
cheaper. 

The  species  deserves  the  attention  of  amateurs  in  Europe,  for  the  sin- 
gularity of  its  foliage. 

PLATE  XX. 

.//  lirandi  irilh  Icttvcs  iiml  fruit  of  Ihr  nuliirrtl  -lizr. 


BEAR    OAK. 


11 


UuKncus  HANisTERi,     Q.  foUin  longr  pcfhlalh,  (imlnn^vlo-iimtvjui'-lohh,  mur- 
gine  inlcgrls,  subtus  cincreis  ;  cupula  suhturbinalii ;  glandcsuhgbbosa. 

This  diminutive  species  is  known  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States  by 
the  names  of  Bear  Oak,  Black  Scrub  Oak  and  Dwarf  Red  Oak,  of  which 
the  first  is  the  most  common  in  New  Jersey,  where  the  shrub  abounds. 
The  latin  specific  name  was  given  it  in  honour  of  Banister,  an  Eno-lisli 
writer,  by  whom  it  was  first  introduced  to  notice. 

I  do  not  remember  to  liave  seen  the  Bear  Oak  in  the  lower  part  of  the 


t 


I 


43 


Ti  E  A  11    0  A  K. 


Soiilliern  Slates  ;  il  is  coininoii  in  (hose  of  llie  Nortli,  ;iiul  si  ill  more  so,  f 
believi>,  ill  New  York,  New  Jeisey  ami  PeiiiisyK  aiiia.  I  have  move  par- 
ticularly observed  it  at  Fishkill,  IvalsUill  ami  Alhaiiy  in  Tm'W  Voik,  near 
Paramus  in  \e\v  Jersey,  and  on  dial  jiart  of  llie  .\lle',;iianies  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, wliieli  is  crossed  by  the  road  to  1  iltshui^'.  It  is  never  I'ound  insu- 
lated jior  minified  witli  olher  shrubs  in  the  Ibiests,  Imt  always  in  tracts  of 
several  hundred  acres,  which  it  covers  almost  exclusively  ;  a  lew  stocks  of 
the  Dwarf  ('hesnut  Oak  aie  oflen  united  with  it. 

The  ordinary  height  of  the  Dear  Oak  is  3  or  4  fcvt  ;  but  when  acei- 
dcnially  insidaled,  and  nourished  by  a  vein  of  more  fertile  soil,  it  sometimes 
ei|uals  S  or  10  I'eet.  It  usually  Ljrows  in  compact  nuisses,  which  are  tia- 
versed  widi  ilillieuhy,  thouu'h  i!0  higher  than  the  waist.  As  the  individuals 
\viiieli  compose  them  aie  of  a  uniiorm  height,  they  form  so  even  a  surface 


tl 


th 


id  appe;us  to  be  covered  with  !j,rass  instead  of 


lat  at  a  ilislance  iiie  grouiic 
shrubs. 

The  truidc,  which  is  nnmerfuisly  ramilied,  is  covered,  lilce  the  branches, 
with  a  polisheil  bark.  Il  has  more  sirenglh  than  W(Uild  l)e  supjiosed  i'roni 
its  size,  which  is  rai'ely  more  than  an  ineh  in  di.imeler.  The  leaves  are  of 
a  dark  green  on  ihe  ujipei  siiii'ace,  whilish  benealh,  and  regulaily  divided 
into  3  or  5  loiies.  'J'he  aeowis  aie  small,  blacki>li,  and  longitm!iiially 
marked  widi  a  Irw  reddish  lines  :  they  are  so  abundant  as  sometimes  to 
Oo\-er  Ihe  bianelies  ;  the  low  ly  stature  of  the  shrub  lenders  it  easy  for  bears, 
(leer  and  swine  to  reach  them  by  liiling  their  heads  or  lising  on  their 
hind  feet. 

The  presiMiee  of  this  Oak  is  cor.sidered  as  i;n  infallildc  index  of  a  barren 
.soil,  and  il  is  usually  I'ouiid  on  dry  sandy  laiiii  miiiuled  wilh  gia\'el.  It  is 
loo  small  to  bt>  adapu'd  to  any  use  ;  but  near  (ioshen,  on  the  road  to  New 
York,  I  o!)served  an  altcMpI  to  turn  il  to  advaiitnge,  by  planting  it  about 
the  llelds  ibr  the  purpose  ol  sirenglhening  the  fences.  'I'hough  this  exper- 
iment seemed  to  have  laiird,  I  believe  the  I5ear  Oak  might  be  usefully 
adopted  in  the  Northern  States  for  hedges,  which  might  be  formed  from 
tlO  to  21  inches  thick,  by  sowing  the  acorns  in  three  paiallel  furrows. 
^J'hey  would  be  perfected  in  a  short  time,  would  be  agreeable  to  the  eye, 
and  probably  would  be  suHlcienl  to  prevent  the  passage  of  horses  and  cows. 
Hedges  of  the  Tbiropean  thorn  would  doubtless  lio  preferable;  but  they 
require  a  good  soil  and  more  labour  than  can  at  present  be  allbrded  in 
America:  those  that  I'xist  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Pliiladelphia  are  left  in 
a  condition  which  would  give  a  very  unfavcnirable  opinion  of  the  fanner  on 
whose  lands  they  were  seen  in  the  North  of  France. 

As  the  IJear  Oak  grows  on  the  most  sterile  soils,  and  resists  the 
most  intense  cold  and  impetuous  winds,  perhaps  4t  might  serve  to  slnd- 
ler  (he  inlaiicy  of  other  more  valuable  trees  in  such  exposures.  The 
want  of  some  such  proleclion   is  the   greatest   obstacle  to   the  success  of 


11(1  si  ill  more  so,  ] 
I  li;nc  iiiovo  pur- 
ill  Nrw  Voilv,  lu'iir 
lianics  In  i't'iinsyl- 
i  JK'vcr  iomid  insii- 
nlways  in  tracts  of 
y  ;  a  lew  stocks  of 


/* 


'  ;  l)ul  when  ncci- 
■  soil,  i(  sonu'linics 
OS,  wliicli  are  lia- 
As  the  indiviiluals 
.-^■o  even  a  sun'iico 
111  j^iass  iiislcatl  of 

like  IJie  l)ranchcs, 
I)c  siijiposcd  JVoni 
Tlie  leaves  are  of 
re;;iil;irly  divi.led 
lul  longiludinally 
as  sometimes  to 
i  it  easy  for  beais, 
r  rising-  on   Iheir 


index  of  a  barren 
'illi  gravel.     It  i.s 
file  road   to  Now 
planting  it   about 
loiiyh  this  exper- 
iiglit  be  nsofully 
be  formed    from 
paiallel   furrows, 
cable  to  tlie  eye, 
lorses  and  cows, 
lable;  but   they 
t  be  allbrded   in 
'Ipliia  are  lefl  in 
of  the  farmer  on 


and   resists   the 

t  serve  to  sli(d- 

vposures.     'I'be 

the  success  of 


It 


I 


H.invnsS(,„|,  Oak. 

(Jii.-rr//.^-  r,rA\,/,,r/ . 


i'lr^'U'it'c  . 


/'/.i-:/. 


iv6r„-/,:;- 


I 


LL_i 


liARRKNS    S("UI:H    OAK, 


43 


plaiilntioiis  on  tlin  downs,  as  I  was  told  near  the  IIiit!;iio  upon  the  coast  of 
Holland. 

I'lojiriclois  of  lai'i^o  cstad's,  who  are  addicti'd  to  the  chase,  ini^lit  find 
tliis  species  and  the  DwailCiicsnul  Oak  convenient  lor  copses  ;  they  wouhl 
ali'ord  nouiishment  to  tin;  i^anic  dmiiiL,'  several  months  in  the  year,  and 
would  allow  the  spurtsniun  a  lair  aim  at  the  biids  as  they  rose  upon  the 
wing. 


PLATE  XX  f. 


Jl  branch  ivilh  Laves  and  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 


BARRENS   SCRUR  OAK. 


(liCRct's  c.\TFsii,ri.  Q.fo/iis  Itri  vhaimi'  pdlolalh,  Jki^'i  fn)(::ifsfal!>^,  (fiilis,  fmh- 
palinaln  lohalis,  loliin  inltrilhni  suli-fiilralh :  cupula  iniijuscula  ;  squauiis 
tnargiualibus  inlro/kxis  :  glandc hrcil ova/u, 

ArroRDixG  to  my  own  observations,  this  species  is  confined  to  the  lower 
part  of  tlie  Carolinas  and  Cicor'.ria.  I  liist  saw  it  a  few  miles  south  of 
Kalei<:;li,  N.  C,  latitude  33^  40'.  Jt  grows  in  soils  too  meaii^er  to  sustain 
any  other  vcQ;etation,  such  as  the  vicinity  of  Wilmino'ton,  N.  C,  where  the 
]i;j,ht  movable  sand  is  wholly  destitute  of  vegetable  mould.  It  is  the  only 
species  multiplied  in  the  jjine-barrens,  and  from  this  circumstance  it  seems 
to  have  derived  its  name. 

In  traversing  these  forests,  I  nowhere  saw  the  Scrub  Oak  more  uniformly 
disseminated  than  between  Fayetleville  and  Wilmington,  an  interval  of 
GO  miles,  where  it  forms  nearly  one-tenth  of  the  woods:  the  Pines  them- 
selves, throughout  the  barrens,  are  scattered  at  the  distance  of  ID  or  20 
feet. 

The  foliage  of  this  tree  is  open,  and  its  leaves  are  lar'jc,  smooth,  thick 
and  coriaceous  towards  the  close  of  summer,  deeply  and  irregularly  laciu- 


^  i 


•11 


SPANISH    OAK. 


iiilod,  iiiul  supported  l)y  short  potioles.  Witli  tlu;  liisl  iVost  tlit-y  cliiiiiifo 
to  a  iliill  red,  ;iiul  I,. II  llii;  t'lisiiinn-  iikhiIIi.  Tin  acnms  aic  pretty  laij;f, 
dl' a  blackish  colour,  and  jjartly  coviuttl  with  a  iinc  ^j;r('y  (hist,  which  is 
easily  rubbed  oir  between  the  linijers:  lliey  are  contained  in  tliiclc  cups 
swollen  toward  the  edge,  and  disliiiLfuished  I'lom  all  otiier  species,  Ijy  hav- 
intf  the  upper  scales  bent  inward.  The  oldest  tries  alone  are  prodiiclive, 
and  their  iiuit  never  exceeds  a  lew  handsl'ul. 

In  tlie  winter  it  is  dillicult  to  distiniruish  tlie  Scrub  Oak  IVoni  the  IJIaik 
Jack  Oak)  whicli  it  nearly  rescnd)les.  Jiike  that,  it  is  crooked,  raiuilied  at 
the  lieight  of  2  or  3  feet,  and  covered  with  a  thick,  blackish,  deeply  fur- 
rowed bark  :  it  is,  besides,  jierfectly  similar  in  the  color,  texture  and 
weight  of  its  wood.  At  Wilmington,  tlic  Scrub  Oak  is  the  best  fuel,  and 
is  sold  separately  ;  but  notwithstanding  its  abundance  in  this  district  it  is 
insullicient  for  the  supply  of  the  iidiabitants  :  its  si/.e  alone  would  exclude 
it  from  use  in  the  arts. 

The  general  character  of  tins  tree  forbids  the  hopes  of  advantage  that 
might  be  conceived  from  its  nourishing  upon  the  most  sterile  soils. 

PLATE  XXII. 

Jl  biunch  tcilh  kuvts  uiidj'ndl  oj  the  nulurul  size. 


SPANISH  OAK. 


CloERcus  FAi.cATA.     Q.  foIUn  long('  pefiolitfis,  snhpalmalo-lobalis,  sublha  cxlinie 
lomentosis,  lob'is  fulculis  ;  cupula  cratcrij'orini ;  glandc  subglobosd, 

Qucrcus  clongalti,  Wili.d. 

This  species,  like  the  Black  Jack  Oak,  begins  to  show  itself  in  New 
Jersey,  near  AUentown,  about  GO  miles  from  Philadelphia.  But  even  at 
this  distance  it  is  smalher  than  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  city,  where 
it  ac(pures  its  perfect  development,  and  where  its  leaves  exhibit  their 
appropriate  form.     Further  south,  it  is  constantly  found  among  the  most 


I 


iVosf.  they  cliiiii<fe 
aiL"  prully  Uuifr^ 
cy  (lust,  wliicli  is 
i-'il  in  tliiclv  (Hips 
11' spL'tiios,  Ly  hav- 
le  aic  produciivf, 

ik  I'lnin  llio  l)liick 
Doked,  laniilk'd  at 
;kisli,  det'[)ly  I'lii- 
nlor,  U'xtm'o  and 
the  liest  fuel,  and 
I  tliis  disliiut  it  is 
le  would  exclude 

f  advantage  that 
ilo  soii.s. 


iZC. 


'is,  stifj/im  cximic 
mbglobosd. 


I  clongata,  Wjlld. 


V  itself  in  Now 
I.  But  even  at 
the  city,  where 
's  exhibit  their 
uong  the  most 


h 


k 


if  ' 


SPANISH    OAIv. 


45 


common  tieos  in  llio  lort-sts.  I  have  olisorved  lliat  it  is  loss  miiltiprK-d 
iii'iir  till.'  iiiiMiiitirnis,  and  in  tliu  country  l)t'_yoml  llicm.  in  Delaware, 
IMaiylanil  and  \  iii;inia,  it  is  known  only  by  tlif  iianio  of  Spanish  Oak,  and 
in  the  Carolinas  and  (ifoinia  by  that  of  Jlcil  Oak.  In  an  okl  KnLi,lisli 
work  which  I  found  in  tin;  library  of  Cliarh'slon,  it  is  saiti  to  have  been 
called  Spanish  Oak  by  the  iiist  settlers,  from  the  resemblance  of  its  leaves 
to  those  of  the  Qucrcus  vrluiii  which  ^rows  in  Spain.  Wiielher  this 
etyniolotiv  is  just;  or  not,  1  am  unable  to  say;  but  it  is  unknown  to  the 
iiihaiiilants  who  have  adopted  the  name.  The  denomination  of  Red  Oalc, 
Avliich  is  used  only  in  the  more  Southern  States,  was  probably  <4iven  it  on 
account  of  the  great  analogy  between  its  wood  and  that  of  the  species  thus 
called  in  the  Northern  and  ^Middle  States,  wher'i  tlie  Spanish  Oak  is  much 
less  common  than  in  the  South. 

This  tree  is  more  than  SO  feet  in  height,  and  4  or  5  feet  in  diameter.  Its 
leaves  are  very  dillerent  on  diiU'rcnt  individuals  ;  thus  in  New  Jersey, 
where  the  tree  is  only  30  leet  high  and  4  or  5  inches  thick,  they  are  three- 
lobed,  except  a  few  on  the  summit,  and  not  falcated  as  on  the  large  stocks 
in  (he  Southern  States,  On  young  plants,  and  on  the  lower  branches  of 
the  most  vigorous  slocks  growing  in  moist  and  shaded  situations,  they  are 
also  trilobed  ;  and  on  the  upper  limbs  they  are  more  acutely  laciniated, 
with  the  sections  more  arching  than  those  rej)resented  in  the  figure.  This 
remarkable  dillerence  led  my  father  to  describe  as  a  distinct  species,  under 
the  name  of  (^ucrcnstriloha,  the  individuals  whose  foliage  had  notaciiulred 
its  perfect  form.  Sometimes  on  the  sprouts  of  trees  that  have  been  felled, 
the  leaves  arc  deeply  denticulated  at  right  angles  1o  the  main  rib.  One  of 
(heir  constant  characters  is  a  thick  down  upon  the  lower  side  of  the  leaf  and 
upon  the  young  shoots  to  which  they  are  attached. 

The  acorns  are  small,  round,  of  a  brown  color,  and  contained  in  slightly 
scaly  cups  supported  by  peduncles  one  or  two  lines  in  length.  They 
resemble  those  of  the  Bear  Oak,  and,  like  them,  preserve  for  a  long  time 
the  faculty  of  germination. 

The  bark  upon  the  trunk  is  blackish  and  deeply  furrowed,  with  a  cellular 
tissue  of  middling  thickness.  The  wood  is  reddish  and  coarse  grained, 
with  empty  pores,  and  all  the  characteristic  properties  of  the  species  known 
in  commerce  by  the  general  name  of  lied  Oak:  hence  its  staves  are  lit 
only  to  contain  melasses,  salted  provisions  and  dry  goods.  I  have  been 
told  that  in  the  West  Indies  the  lied  Oak  staves  from  the  Southern  States, 
where  this  species  aljonnds,  are  the  most  esteemed,  liom  which  it  seems 
probable  that  its  wood  is  better  than  that  of  the  lied,  Scarlet  and  Black 
Oaks  that  furnish  almost  all  the  Red  Oak  staves  from  the  Northern  and 
Middle  States  :  this  superiority,  however,  is  not  sulliciently  marked  to  occa- 
sion a  dillerence  in  the  pric(>. 

From  its  waiit  of  durability  the  Spanish  Oak  is  less  esteemed  than  the 


R 


!     * 


46 


lUwVCK    OAK. 


AVhite  Oak,  tlio  Post  Oak,  anrl  other  s])ocics  of  anin.al  fniclificalinn.  It  is 
rarely  employed  in  buiUliiij^,  and  is  used  liy  \vlieel\vriij,lits  only  at  J5al(iniore, 
where  it  is  preferred  to  the  While  Oak  for  liie  fellies  of  \in'j,c  wheels. 

The  ])riueipal  merit  of  the  Spanish  Oak,  wliirli  f:,ives  it  a  superiority 
over  most  other  species  in  tlie  United  Slates,  resides  in  its  hark.  This  is 
preferred  for  tanning  coarse  leatlier,  wliich  it  renders  whiter  and  more 
supple  ;  it  is  conseipienlly  sohl  at  Philadelphia  and  Wilininglnn  a  fourth 
(U'arer  than  that  of  the  oilier  Oaks  :  the  lealhei-  is  said  to  ho  improved  by 
llic  addition  of  a  small  ipiantitv  of  tlu-  l)aik  of  'he  Ilendoek  Spruce. 

Tlic  Spanisli  Oak  is  adajited  to  the  climate  of  the  centre  of  France,  if 
we  may  judge  from  its  mulliplication  in  tlie  nurseries  and  in  tlie  gardens  of 
amateurs.  The  stocks  that  have  sprung  from  tlie  acorns  which  I  sent  home 
during  iny  residence  in  America  hear  as  yet  oidy  tliree-lobed  leaves,  but 
they  will  become  falcated  at  a  maturer  age. 

From  the  inferiority  of  its  wood,  this  species  would  not,  in  my  opinion, 
deserve  a  place  in  our  forests,  though  its  bark  should  prove  equal  to  that  of 
the  European  Oak.  ]3ut  in  the  Southern  States,  when  some  species  of  trees 
arc  to  be  multiplied  in  preference  to  others,  the  Spanish  Oak  alone  should 
be  spared  among  the  Red  Oaks,  as,  besides  its  snperloiily  in  other  res))ects, 
it  has  the  advantage  of  flourishing  on  lands  of  a  middling  (pialily,  such  as 
compose  a  large  part  of  that  section  of  the  United  States. 


PLATi::  XXIII. 

.^  branch  vUh  haves  and  frail  of  the  iialaral  n'lzc. 


BLACK   OAK. 

Qi'ERcrs  TiNCTORiA.     Q.foliis  jimfaiidi'  xinu  h'i't'i,  sahlitu ptilvcrulciitls ;  cvpiiIA 
tarblnald,  sijuamohd  ;   <^ht»dc  hnvi  ovah'i. 

Excr.i'T  the  District  of  Maine,  the  northern  part  of  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont  and  Tennessee,  this  species  is  found  throughout  the  United  States 
on  both  sides  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  it  is  everywhere  called  Black  Oak. 
It  is  nioie  aliuiulant  in  the  Middle  Slates,  and  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
Caroliuas  and  (Jeorgia,  than  ou  the  southern  coast. 


I  rnirfificfition.     It  is 
lis  only  at  ]5aI(iinore, 
'f  laiLije  wlioels. 
■ivc.s  it  fi  .supoiiorify 
in  ils  l)ar!v.     This  is 
'IS  wliitor  ami  more 
i-Vilininglon  a  Iburth 
I  to  he  improved  by 
mlock  S'i)rurc. 
centre  of  France,  if 
lid  in  (lie  gardens  of 
^whicli  I  sent  home 
e-lobed  leaves,  but 

not,  in  my  opinion, 
■ove  equal  to  that  of 
ime  species  of  trees 
1  Oak  alone  should 
y  in  olhtM-  I'cspects, 
iig  quality,  such  as 
s. 


crulciitis  ;   ciipulA 


Sew  Ham])sliirc, 
he  United  States 
led  ]51ack  Oak. 
ilier  part  of  the 


I 


II  LACK     OAK. 


47 


The  Ulack  0;ik  llonrislics  in  n  pnoit^r  sciil  tlirin  tlio  Wliito  Oak.  In 
INIaiylantl  and  ci-ilain  tlisliicls  ol'  \  ii'jinia  wIutc  llu.'  soil  is  lean,  '^ravlly 
and  iini'von,  it  is  coiL^tanlly  nnilcd  in  tli"  loix'sts  willi  the  Scailft,  Spanisii 
anil  Post  Oaks,  ami  thr  .Mocki'iiiul  Hickory,  wilh  which  the  Vcliow  Pine; 
is  also  lVo(|uriitIv  iiiin^l('(l. 

This  Oak  is  on(.'  of  Ihe  lofiicsl  trees  f)f  Xortli  Amcriea,  hciiiij;  80  or  90 
feel  ]iiL!;h  and  1  or  5  feel  in  (Uanirtei.  'I'lie  leaves  are  larire,  diM-ply  \nc'\- 
iiiated,  and  divided  into  fonr  nr  live  lobes  :  they  resenihlo  those  of  the 
Searlet  Oak,  hut  have  less  di'ip  and  oprn  sinuses,  are  less  sliininp;,  of  a 
duller  <i'rei'n,  and  in  the  sprin'j,'  and  dnrin<.;;a  [lart  of  llie  summer  have  their 
surfaee  rou^hen^d  widi  small  i;iantls,  which  arc  seiisijjle  to  the  I've  and  to 
the  touch.  The  same  apjiearance  is  observed  on  the  ynuiiL;  shoots.  I 
have  remaiked  that  the  leaves  of  ihe  youiej;  stocks  ehanfj;e  in  the  autnirm 
to  a  dull  I'cd,  and  those  of  the  old  trees  to  yellow,  liet^inninu;'  with  the 
petiole. 

The  trunk  is  covered  witli  a  deej)lv  furrowed  hark  of  iniddlin'j;  thiidv- 
ness,  and  always  of  a  hlack  or  Vimv  ileep  hiown  colour,  whinice  iirohahly 
is  dei'ived  tin;  name  of  the  tree.  Norih-east  of  Pennsylvania,  the  com- 
plexion of  the  bark  is  the  only  character  by  which  it  can  be  distin- 
guished ironi  till!  lied.  Scarlet  and  Ciray  Oaks,  when  the  leaves  are  fallen. 
Further  south,  this  character  is  not  sullicient  to  disliiij^uish  it  fioni  the 
Spanish  Oalc,  tlu-  bark  of  which  is  of  the  san.e  colour,  and  recourse  must 
Ijc  had  to  the  buds,  which,  on  the  lihick  Oak,  are  lonL:;er,  more  acuminate, 
and  more  .scaiy.  All  doubt  may  !)e  removed  by  chewing  a  bit  of  the  cel- 
iilar  tissue  of  each  ;  that  of  th.e  r)iack  Oak  is  very  l)itter  and  gives  a  yel- 
low tinge  to  the  saliva,  which  is  nut  tiie  case  with  the  other. 


T 


ic  wood  IS  reddisii   and  coarse-m' 


ainctl,  with  empty  pores:   it  is,  1 


lOW- 


ever,  more  esteemed   for  strens'th  and   durabilitv  than   that   of 


species  of  biennial  fructiiication. 


At  PI 


uuKle 


Ipl 


any 


nl 


otlier 


ii.i 


it  IS  employetl  for  want 


of  White  Oak,  in  building  ;  and  the  farmers  of  the  Northern  States,  with 
false  economy,  substitute  it  in  the  place  of  the  White  Oak  for  fences. 

As  this  species  is  abundant  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States,  it  i"ur- 
iiishesa  large  proportion  of  the  Red  Oak  slaves  exported  to  the  colonies  or 
einjiloyed  at  home  to  contain  Hour,  salted  provisions  and  mehisses. 


Tl 


le  bark  is  extensively  usi'd  in  tanning,  as  it  is  easily  procured  and  is 
rich  in  tannin.  The  oidy  inconvenience  which  attends  it  is  imparting  a 
yellow  color  to  the  leather,  which  must  be  discliarged  by  a  particular 
process,  to  prevent  its  staining  tlu;  stockings  ;  it  is  a  great  error  to  assert 
that  this  color  augments  its  value. 

From  the  cellular  tissue  of  the  !)Iack  (^ak  is  ol)lained  th(!  iincrcilron,  of 


w 


hicl 


1  irreat  use  is  made  in  dymn'  wool 


sil 


and  paprr-lianii'int's. 


Accord- 


ing to  several  authors  who  have  written  on  this  subject,  and  among  others 
Dr.  Bancroft,  to  whom   we   are   indebted   for   this  discovery,  one   part  of 


•IS 


•^''•*lil.|.;T  „Ah. 


f''c  a.lvi.,(i,se,„,.„(.s   oCPl,,-    , "  '.'^>  ^^^''■^J't  t.)  (u-elvc   pads  o/'  .11 
I    o.n,...ol,™.,„,  „„„„.  „,^.  „;__;^;  ^     '™;";'. VV».er  OH.,  „,,,,,, 


sm 


W-ATi:  XXIV. 


".-.•>  fo  f/ir  Srrtrki  0,if,: 


SCARLET  OAK. 


!  1      , 


t'-"  par/s  of  M-nn<I. 
•''''■•■|-nl.vrillc;ili, 
'•'"  P'Tlioii   of  (||. 
"'""^"l'(in  alloni 
='   much   Ijiiyhter 

'  ■''"  Lvjiial  Weight 
'  '''•^■',  iuid  ai/LT- 
''.V  l)e  i)a.s.so(|,  in 
•■»   ^'"lo  M-a.sIied 
s'lliilion   of  (in, 
fiadcs  of  yellow 
'•'«  of  silk.     ]„ 
''■'*  siilishinc'o  is 
"■'^'^'  to  i:uio].c. 
''.V  (linii   (li;it  of 
'■■'''■■s,  wliicli  are 
n'<^'ior  to  tl,at 
'■^iowih  in  Uio 
">  "le  value  of 
•  of  Euiopoaii 


'f/  ()„k. 


f  siniiaiis, 
'mdc  brcvi 


it  Is  Jess 
le   upper 


I'1 


i  1 


t 


(>ll, 


■/■(■//.•    ,('t<i/iiir 


I 


I 


scAKurr  OAK. 


li) 


J)iirt  of  thf  Cantliiins  and  (Ifdi'^'in,  wIhtc  it  Idiius  a  part  of  the  loi  ^ts  that 
niT  slill  slaiiiliii^f :  it  is  murli  It'ss  common  in  tlii'  lower  parts  of  tlu'^o 
stales,  wliifli,  as  I  li;i\  r  alicaily  olisci  vi'ii,  pKnluct'  notliiii'^  liiit  Pines.  [ 
liitve  not  seen  it  ii>  llie  Distiiel  ol'  M.iinc,  tin;  Slates  ot'  New  Ilampsliiie 
ntid  Vvritioni,  nor  iic'vonil  I  lira  in  (Irnessee.  In  tlie  Noitliein  Stales  it 
is  enntonnded  with  llie  Idd  Oak,  and  in  tliose  of  tiie  Soiitli,  with  tlu; 
Spanish  Oak.  'I'lie  name  n|'  Scarlet  Oak  was  nivru  it  iiy  my  I'aihcr,  and, 
liioiinh  not  in  use  hy  the  inhahitants,  it  will  piohaldy  lie  adopted,  as  tin; 
tree  is  evidently  a  distinet  specif  s. 

This  is  a  vei^'etahle  ol'  more  llian  SO  ferl  in  li('i'.,dil  aiu'  of  ;i  or  I  feet  in 
tliami!tor.  'i'lu:  U'aves,  which  are  siipporl( d  hy  lon'4'  |icli(iles,  are  of  a 
boanlil'ul  ^aecn,  smooth,  shining'  on  lioiii  sides,  and  lacinialcd  in  a  remark- 
aide  manner,  havinif  usually  ("our  deep  sinuses  very  hroad  at  the  lioltom. 
They  hciiin  to  ehariL^e  with  the  lirst  cold,  and,  after  several  successive  Irosis, 
tnrn  to  a  hii'^ht  led,  instead  of  a  dull  hue  like  tlioso  of  the  Red  Oak.  At 
this  seas(Ui  the  sinijular  colour  of  the  loliai^e  forms  a  slrikaii^  contrast  wiih 
thai  of  the  surroiiiulini' trees,  and  is  al  ue  a  suliiuienl  in  !  cement  to  culti- 
valethe  tree  for  ornament. 

'J'lic  acorns  are  lar^e,  somewhat  elongated,  sinnh.ly  roundeil  at  hoth 
ends,  and  half  covered  with  scaly  cups.  As  liils  iiuit  Viiries  in  si  wiih 
the  (piality  of  the  soil,  it  is  dillicull  to  dis:inu;uish  i  liom  th,'  -if  the  idack 
Oak;  the  oidy  constant  diHereiiee  is  in  the  keincl,  which  i  yellowish  in 
the  IShick  Oak,  and  white  in  the  Scarlet. 

The  wood  of  this  Oak  is  reddish  and  coarse-;     Mvd,  widi  open  .   ■  es. 

it  is    eni'iloved. 


As    it   decays   nuieh  more   rapidly  than   the  Wnile     -ak, 

by  the  builder  and   wheel-wri'^ht  oidy  froni   n.'Cessiiy     r  economy. 


It 


is 


poor  luel,  anil  is  used  principally 


for  slaves  :   in  the  Middle  States,  a  la 


rii-i: 


part  of  the  lud  Oak  staves  are  furnished  by  this  spi  cies. 

The  bark,  thoui;h  very  thick  and  <;enerally  employed  in  tannin;^,  is  in 
no  respect  preferable  to  that  of  the  Cbay  and  llei'  Oaks. 

That  this  tree  will  llourish  in  France,  is  shown  hy  an  example  at  Ibim- 
bouillet,  where  it  makes  part  of  a  beautiful  i)lanlation  45  feet  in  hei^dil, 
formed  in  178(),  of  species  sent  home  by  my  father  soon  after  bis  arrival 
in  the  United  States.  It  is  lo  be  iey;retted  that  so  lino  a  tree,  which  is  so 
well  adapted  to  our  soil,  should  all'ord  such  indiUcivnt  wood  that  we  can- 
not recommend  its  infroibiclion  inl('  ',,•'  'orests  of  Europe,  nor  its  preserva- 
tion in  those  of  the  United  Slates. 


PLATE  XXV. 


.-J  leaf  of  the  natural  alzc. 

Note. — The.  rcoins  in  this  plate  belong  to  the  liluck  Oak. 


[    •''>n    ] 


GRAY   OAK, 

CluKRcrs  BOREALis.      ^^.  folUs   slmtal'is,  ghtbris,  sinubus  siibacutis ;    cupula 
subsculclhild  ;   glamlc  lurgidc  ovald. 

The  Gray  Oak  appears,  by  my  father's  notes,  to  be  found  furtlier  north 
(hail  any  other  species  in  America;  in  returning  from  Hudson's  ]3ay  he 
saw  it  on  tlio  St.  Lawrence  between  Quebec  and  ]Malal)aie,  in  latitude 
47*^  50'.  Under  that  paraUel,  and  near  Halifax  in  Nova  Scotia,  where  I 
first  observed  it,  it  is  not  more  than  40  feet  high  ;  and  though  the  bloom 
is  annual,  the  winter  is  so  rigorous  and  long  that  tlie  fruit  is  said  to  be 
matured  only  once  in  three  or  four  years.  Three  degrees  further  south, 
in  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  on  the  fdiores  of  Lake  Champlain  in 
Vermont,  it  is  more  mulii|>lied,  and  is  50  or  GO  lectin  heiglitaud  IS  inches 
in  diameter.  It  is  called  by  the  inhabitants  Cray  Oak,  but  it  has  been 
oonfoumled  by  botanists  with  the  lied  Oak,  to  which  it  bears  a  (dose  ana- 
logy in  its  toliage,  as  it  does  to  the  Scarlet  Oak  in  its  fruit :  on  this  resem- 
blance I  have  ibundeil  the  latin  specific  name  ai/ibigua. 

The  leaves  arc  large,  smooth,  and  deejjly  sinuated  at  right  angles  to  the 
main  rib.  The  acorns  are  of  the  middle  size,  rounded  at  the  end,  and 
contained  in  scaly  cups. 

The  wood  is  similar  to  that  of  the  other  species  included  under  the 
common  name  of  Red  Oak.  Its  coarse  and  open  texture  renders  it  unfit 
for  any  use  except  to  contain  dry  wares;  but  in  districts  where  Oak  wood 
is  rare,  recourse  is  had,  for  other  purposes,  to  several  species  of  inferior 
(piality,  which  are  >;till  superior  to  the  ISirch,  the  J3eech,  and  the  Piiu'. 
Thus  the  (bay  Oak  is  employed  for  the  knees  of  vessels  and  for  wheel- 
wright's work  ;  it  is  even  preferred  to  the  Red  Oak,  as  being  stronger  and 
more  durable. 

This  tree  is  without  interest,  as  the  regions  in  which  it  grows  possess 
other  species  in  every  respect  more  valuable,  such  as  the  White  Oak,  the 
Swam})  While  Oak,  and  the  Rock  Chesnut  Oak. 


PLATE  XXVI. 
vl  brunch  ivilh  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  natural  size. 


i 


■I 


subacutis ;    cupula 


utul  furtlicr  north 
[ludsoii's  Bay  he 
abaie,  in  hatitude 
1  Scotia,  wlierc  I 
lliough  tlic  bloom 
uit  is  said  to  be 
cs  fuitlier  soiitli, 
kc  C'hamj)lain  in 
gilt  and  IS  inches 
but  it  Las  been 
jcais  a  close  ana- 
t :  on  this  rcsem- 

iglit  angles  to  the 
at  the   end,  and 

luded  under  the 
re  renders  it  unfit 
wlicre  Oak  wood 
[lecies  of  inferior 
h,  and  tlie  Pine, 
i  and  for  wliccl- 
eing  stronger  and 

it  grows  possess 
J  White  Oak,  the 


I 


\ze. 


if' 


i 


/'/  ui. 


(ii;i\    Oak. 

(  h/i  1 1 1/. '    (I in  /'i</iui 


f 


f  ii 


i ' 


[  .-'1  ] 


TIN    OA  K. 

(idKRcus  PALUSTRis.      Q./oliin  profundf  .linKciti-s,  ^-/uhris,  si)nilnt.'i  latis  ;  frurlii 
parvo :   cupiild  sculilliilu,  Icvi ;  L^lanJr  unbglobosn. 

Tins  sprfic's,  like  tlie  prcrfdlnQf,  jj^ws  in  Arassacluisctts,  l)iit  is  loss 
common  than  in  IIk'  vicinity  of  Now  York,  in  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania 
nnd  Maryland.  I  saw  it  a!)un(lant  beyond  the  mountains  near  Pittsl)iiig 
in  Ohio,  and  in  East  Tennessee,  and  my  father  found  it  lunlfiplicd  in  flu; 
country  of  the  Illinois:  I  feel  assured  thai  it  does  not  exist  in  Maine,  \'er- 
inont  and  the  Southern  States.  It  is  called  I'in  Oak  in  the  lower  jnirt  of 
New  York  and  in  New  Jersey,  and  Swamp  Spanish  Oak  in  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware  and  Maryland.  Tlie  last  of  these  denominations  is  sulliciently 
appropriate  ;  but  I  have  preferred  the  second,  because  it  is  less  liable  to 
mistake,  and  is  indicative  of  a  characteristic  arrann;emcnt  of  the  branches. 

The  Pin  Oakis  a  tall  tree,  which  trrows  constantly  in  moist  })laces, 
and  prefers  the  swamps  enclosed  in  the  forests.  In  these  situations 
it  is  fre(]ucntly  more  than  80  feet  high  and  3  or  4  feet  in  diameter. 
Its  secondary  branches  arc  more  slender  and  iium 'rous  than  is  common  on 
so  large  a  tree,  und  are  intermingled  so  as  to  give  it  at  a  distance  the 
appearance  of  being  stalled.  Tiiis  singular  disposition  renders  it  distin- 
guishable at  first  sight  in  the  winter,  and  is  perhaps  the  cause  of  its  being 
called  Pin  Oak.  The  leaves  are  smooth,  of  a  pleasing  green,  supported 
by  long  petioles,  deeply  laciniated  and  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Scarlet 
Oak,  from  which  lliey  diU'er  principally  in  their  proportions.  The  acorns 
are  small,  round,  and  contained  in  flat  shallow  cups,  of  which  the  scales 
are  closely  applied  one  upon  another. 

The  bark  upon  the  oldest  trunk  is  scarcely  cracked,  and  consists  almost 
wholly  of  a  very  thick  cellular  tissue.  The  wood  is  coarse-grained, 
with  the  pores  open  and  larger  than  those  of  the  Scarlet  and  Red  Oaks  ; 
though  stronger  and  more  tenacious  than  those  species,  it  is  little  esteeniLd 
for  durability.  It  is  used  for  the  shafts  of  mill-wheels  when  Wiiiie  Oak 
of  suillcient  dimensions  cannot  be  procured  ;  it  is  also  sometimes,  though 
rarely,  made  into  staves,  as  the  species  is  little  multiplied  compared  with 
the  Scarlet,  lied  and  Black  Oaks. 

Tlie  Pin  Oak,  in  its  youth,  assumes  an  agreeable  pyramidal  shape,  and 
its  light  ekg.'iit  foliage  contributes  greatly  to  its  beauty.  It  deserves  a 
conspicuous  place  in  parks  and  gardens.  It  should  never  be  deprived  of 
its  interior  branches.  The  most  beautiful  stock  of  this  species  with  which 
I  am  ac([uainted  in  Europe,  is  in  a  garden  near  Antwerp ;  it  was  about  20 


i:!! 


5-2 


R  K  D     O  A  K. 


Icet  liigli  ih  1804,  and  its  brilliant  and  vigorous  vegetation  proved  how 
well  the  soil  and  climate  was  adapted  to  it. 

PLATE  XXVII. 

^^  branch  with  leaves  aiulj'niil  of  I  he  nuUirnl  nize. 


RED  OAK. 


ducRcus  RUBRA.     Q.  fol'us  longp  pctiolalis,  a:fu/)ris,  obtuse  sinKulis  ;  cupuld 
sculcllutn,  subltevi  ,•  ghiinle  subovatd, 

Nf.xt  to  the  Gray  Oak,  tliis  species  is  found  in  the  highest  latitude  of 
all  the  American  Oaks,  and  is  one  of  the  most  common  species  in  the 
Northern  States  and  in  Canada.  Further  south,  particularly  in  the  lower 
part  of  New  York,  in  New  Jersey,  the  upper  Districts  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  along  the  whole  range  of  tlie  Alleghanies,  it  is  nearly  as  abundant  as 
the  Scarlet  and  I'jlaek  Oaks  ;  but  it  is  much  less  common  in  ]\Ia.yland, 
lower  Virginia,  and  the  maritime  paits  of  the  Carolina?  and  Ceorgia. 
This  remark  confirms  ai\  observation  which  I  have  often  nuide,  that  its 
perfect  development  req\iires  a  cool  climale  and  a  fertile  soil.  It  is  uni- 
versally known  by  the  name  of  Red  Oak,  except  near  Lancaster  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  it  is  sometimes  confounded  with  tlie  Spanish  Oak. 

The  Red  Oak  is  a  tall,  wide-spreading  tree,  frequently  more  than  80 
feet  high,  and  3  or  4  feet  in  diameter.  lis  leaves  are  smooth  and  shining 
on  both  sides,  large,  deeply  laciniatcd,  and  rounded  at  the  base  :  they  are 
larger  and  have  deeper  and  narrower  sections  on  the  young  stocks  than  on 
the  middle  or  the  summit  of  the  full-grown  tree  ;  these  last  resemble  the 
leaves  of  the  Spanish  Oak,  which,  however,  are  always  downy  beneath, 
while  those  of  the  Red  Oak  are  perfectly  smooth.  In  the  autumn  they 
change  to  a  dull  red,  and  turn  yellow  before  they  fall. 

The  acorns  are  very  large  and  abundant,  rounded  at  the  summit,  com- 
pressed at  the  base,  and  contained  in  llat  cups  covered  with  narrow  com- 
pact scales.  They  are  vora<'iously  devoured  by  wild  animals,  and  l)y  ihe 
cows,  horses  and  swine  which  are  allowed  to  range  in  the  woods  after  the 
herbage  has  perished. 

The  wood  is  reddish  and  coarse-grained,  and  the  pores  are  often  large 


II 

i 


!  1 


t 


II  piovcd  liow 


mlis  ;  cujjuld 

st  latitude  of 
lecies  in  the 
in  the  lower 
eniKsylvania, 
ahundnnt  ris 
1  iMa.yiaiul, 
id    CJcoi<;ia. 
ido,  tliat  its 
It  is   iini- 
tcr  in  Pcnn- 
)ak-. 

le  than  SO 
and  shininij 
e  :  tjiey  are 
cilvs  than  on 
?semble  the 
ly  bcnontli, 
utuiuii  they 

nmit,  com- 
innw  coMi- 
find  hy  fhe 
■s  after  (lie 


)flen  large 


T 


Hi 


I 


III      ()i\k 


(  h/i  /  V  //.  1    /  >/////,  I  //  /,  ( • . 


Il 


'M 


/ 


I 


llcil  ();.k. 

(Ji/i/t//,i    /ti/>nr 


l';rX-(rtA. 


\ 


/*■• 


;; 


1  i 


o',rX-ir ',!',•. 


\ 


ADDITION    TO     IlIK    ( >  A  K  S. 


enough  for  the  pnssa£;o  of  a  hai;  's  strnii'j;  l)ut   not  duiahli',  and   is  llie 

last,  anioni!;  Ilic  Oaks  to  ho  I'lh  hiiililiiiL!;-     lis  luinciiial  iisr  is  for 

staves,  whicli,  at  home,  are  use*  atain    salted   piuvisinns,  llour   and 

such  dry  wares  as  arc  exported  .•  the  islands,  and  in  the  c()h)nius,  to 
receive  nndasses  and  su-^ar. 

The  hark  consists  of  a  very  thin  epidermis  and  a  very  thick  cellidar 
tissue.  It  is  extensively  used  in  taniiiii!^,  hut  is  less  esteemed  than  that  of 
the  Spanish,  Black  and  Rock  Chesnut  Oaks. 

The  Red  Oak  was  one  of  the  earliest  .American  trees  introduced  into 
Europe.  Large  stocks  are  found  on  the  estate  of  Duhamel,  which  yield 
seed  ahundantly,  and  even  multiply  naturally  ;  hut  the  (piality  of  its  wood 
is  so  inferior,  that  I  cannot  recommend  its  propagation  in  our  forests. 

PLATE  XXMII. 

.i?  brunch  ivi//i  huvn  and  J'ritil  of  llir  iiuturn/  size. 


I 


ADDITIONS  TO  Til  K  O.VK?!. 

I.v  the  F/f)ra  .7/arr/c.-^  S''fitcvtrir)iri(ilis,  of  Tursli,  puhlishrd  in  England 
in  1S14,  the  foltowing  species  of  Oak  aie  added  to  those  which  1  have 
dascrihed  : 

Qi'RRfiH  MARtriMA.  Q.Joliis  pi  rtiiinnililjii^.  rnriii'-rix,  inlru^rrrimin,  i;!<ilii-i»,  hasi 
aUi niKtiis,  (ijiicc  miirronitlis  ;  ciipn/i'i  sculilhila  ;  i;liiiiili'  siilirdtiiiiiln. 

A  shrul)  from  •"]  to  S  iVet  hii;ii,  touiid  on  the  sea-coast  in  Mrginia  and 
Carolina:  I  consider  it  as  a  variety  of  the  Willow  Oak,  Q'vrciis  ii/id/oa, 

QrnRfl's  MVKTiFOMA.  (i-  Juliis  jiiTcii ninil iliiis,  rari tin  i.s,  iililonais,  inlrii(rri)iiis; 
glij/tia,  ulriiKjite  iiciitis,  supra  iiiliilin,  iii(in;iiir  r(ii)liilis. 

This  species,  of  which  ]\Ir.  Pursh  appears  to  have  se(.'n  neither  the  hlos- 
soms  nor  the  acorns,  escaped  my  nsearches  ;  jieihaps  it  is  the  vaiiety  of 
the  Water  Oak  which  I  found  among  the  Live  Oaks,  and  which  preserves 
its  leaves  for  three  or  four  years. 

QiiEiirrs  iih'Misi'ii.iMticA,  (^.J'oliis  priTHiiinililiux,  obl(iiii^<i-l<tiicu)latis,  Iriiohis  siiiu- 
alisquc,  lohis  mucroiiulis,  utriniiai:  glubris,     Willtl. 


64 


A  D  ])  I T 10  N  S    T  O    T  H  E   O  A  K !?. 


Mr.  Pursh  lias  inserted  this  species  IVom  VVilldonow,  and  believes  it 
to  he  a  variety  of  the  Water  Oak,  Qintrcus  (KjiuUica. 

Qlkr(  rs  NANA.  Q  J'oliin  cniiiifi>rmis,  i^liibvis,  iipiir  Iriliiliis,  basi  subsinuatis,  lobir, 
flivariculia,  inttcniiKitis,  inlirmvdio  majurv ;  cdpuhinnUelluta. 

According  to  Mr.  Pursh,  tins  species  is  a  low-growing  shrub,  distinct 
from  the  Water  (hdc,  Qhc/cv/.s- «7'(«//(«. 

QUERCIS  DISfdI.oR.        <i.    flllii"  <ll/l(llliiis,    })illll(lli/lll(>:lillltlllis,  SIlhtKS    Jllt/jcsrCHliljIlS, 

Inlis  nlil(>ii^is,iUiit<in!<,  s(luv((i-iiiii(  roiialis;  ctipnla  Inrhtnala. 

This  species  of  Mr.  Pursh  I  consider  as  a  variety  of  tlie  Qiurci/s  li/niuriti. 

OAKS  found  in  New  Spain  by  Messrs.  Iluniboldl  and  lionpbmd,  and  de- 
scribed in  their  Nova  (Jenera  et  Species  Pliuitaruni.     Paiiis,  ISKi. 

QrnucLS  roNFKurii'OLIA.  Q.  roinnlis  alifir/  cit/lis  ;  faliis  lin  lissimi  ]i( liultitis,  rnii' 
fcrlis,  laiircoliilis,  (iriimindliK,  murriniiiln-iirishilis,  inli  ud-riniis,  coriiii-i  is  ;  mitri^ini: 
suhrrflcxis,  siil/llts  jmln  sn  ntihiis  ;  fnirlihiis  sn/iiiiiniiiis,  si  ssi/il/iis. 

This  tree  is  10  or  12  feet  in  height  :  it  is  ever!j;reen,  throws  in  the  tempe- 
rate and  mountainous  regions  of  New  .'ipain,  between  (Juanajualo  and 
Santa  Uosa,  and  iVuetiiies  in  Scpteniber. 

Ql-Elt(  cs  i-UAs-<ii'i:s.  V.  nniiulis  hifi'  n'lilosis  :/iil.is  lin  viu  r  j.i  linh/lis,  luncinlalo- 
oblowis,  miirrdiialis,  Ixisi  ruliiinldtis,  inti l:<  rrimis,  ciniiicci.s,  s.ihlus  rim  rio-tomnilo- 
sis  ;  I'ntctihus  pdluiicidiili.ssiiliui minis  ;  iKilunculis  inciassulis  ;  riijiiilis  sii/>!iirhiiiiilis. 

M'his  tree  is  about  -'0  feethii;h  ;  il  is  Iband  on  tlie  h)W  nicunlains  of  New 
Si)ain,  near  Santa  Rosa,  and  fruciilles  in  SeptL'u.!)er  and  October. 

'Qi'iatcis  Mi:xnAN\.  Q.  rinniilis  fi.liisqiir,  snhliis  sldJuInn  piihrsi-mliljiis,  supra 
uitiilis  linniri-oliliin'ris,  urn  I  is,  sii/)iiiiirr(»i(ilis,  siilmirilnlis,  iiiiiliiliitd-sii/isiiiunlis, 
stibrarinrds  :  f'nirlilids  sulildriis,  linviUr  pi  tlinicdldlis;  rupniis  njnlliifitniiibus. 

'J'bis  si)ecies  rises  fioin  If)  lo  'iO  feel  :  it  is  very  abundant  liclween  Ara- 
p\dco  and  the  city  ol'  -M  xi'^o,  mar  Mnjoni  la,  (iiiajiniquilapa  and  Chilpal- 
riiiiro  aiul  is  also  found  ne.u-  Moian,  Uigla,  Ouanajuato  and  Santa  Rosa  : 
it  fructifies  in  September. 

().  rii'iiulis  hilii'miJiiiis  ;  fuliis  n'lItDiiio-lnnrriiltilis,  titriiuiun 


QiEurvs  I,^^(  F.oi.vrv. 
aculis,  tiiuliildlo-rrpdiiiUs,  run 


tilids  siihhriiis,  hrcnssinii  / 


■ill. 


:,  Sdj. 
ihili 


liJi 


ini  iiiliihs,  sn 


(lilds  sti  lldliiii  pdljrscciilibiis  ;  ft 


cujiiilis  ri/. 


I  til  1 1 


iirnultiis. 


This  tree  eipials   a 
in    the   temperate  re 


nd 


sonii'times  excei' 


ds,  -ZO  feet  in  iici  Jif  ;  it  aboinid.- 


'•■KHIS    o 


f  Mexico,  between 


M 


oran 


aiita   Jvosa ; 


where  it  forms  unmense 


forests:   il  fiuclihes  in  Sej)tfiuber. 


CiiKRciN  TRnii:N'<.     (l-  rdvii 


s  laiibim  ;f<iliis  obIiiiit;is,  basi  roliniihitis,  npirr  cusjti- 


(1nla-triilrnlnlis,mi:mhrnni> 


,  sujira  piibrsrintibds,  siibliis  tciiliiti  r  rincrro-lonuntitsis  ; 


J'l-urlih.i:'  lirnis  aitl  <iiiiiiis,  bnitld-  p' 


■ill, 


iliili 


This  tree  rises  bum 


10  to  20  feet  :  it  i.rows  m  the  mountains  near  Moran 


in  Mexico,  a 


nd  fructifies  in  May. 


Qii:iu  IS  I,\l  RINA.     (2    '■'"' 


'ilis  vldhrif.  fuliis  ii}ih)niiis,dnndiudlis.  hi 


ihrdtimila- 


lis;  apirrm  vi  rsus  subilnitiilis,  roriui 
nis,  SLSsilibiis ;  viijiulis  ryathijWiiiibas. 


eis,  i;labris,  iiiliilis ,  J'ruclibnx  sulUariia  aiU  Ur- 


•V 

I 


ADDITIONS    TO   THE    OAKS. 


m 


believes  it 

lualis,  loOis, 

lb,  distinct 

ilnsccnlibus, 

tinchiriii, 

il,  niid  (le- 
181G. 

iiihills,  ri))i. 
in  ;  iniirj^inr 

111'  Icnipo- 
ijualo  aiui 

Itincrnlaln- 
'((hitimi  iilo- 
liliir/tliiulis, 

IS  of  New 

'liiis,  supra 

iilisitnialis, 

niihiis. 

I'l'M  Ara- 

Clii!|.al- 

ila  llosa  : 

V,  i>iri)if/iic 
iits ;  J'ruc- 

aliomuls 
la   ivosa : 


•)irr  riisjn- 
iiiuilDsiii  ; 

ir  ^loraix 


liriilmidn- 
s  nut  Ur- 


Tliis  is  a'larf:;c  tree,  wliich  rcseniljlcs  the  Laurel,  and  attains  the  lioiji;ht 
(if  10  iVet :  it  is  loiind  in  the  trmpcratc  parts  of  \c\v  Spain,  in  the  environs 
ol"  Pachuca,  Totoniico  and  Clrande  :   it  lloweis  in  .May. 

Qi'i;r(  L's  Ki:i'.VM)\.  Q.  frurlirosd,  prncuinlit  un  ;  riitnulis  J'iiliisqn<  Kutilus  <ilhi(lo-lo- 
im  iiliisis,  xtilis(  xsiUliiix,  ii/iliiimis,  (ilitiisiiisfiilis,  iHini  intii/iKililiiis,  sintKiloiijiandis 
coriiici  Is  :  J'niclihr.s  siihsiililnriis,  s(  s.sili/j)is. 

This'is  a  slu'ub  about  2  I'eel  in  heii^ht:  it  p;io\vs  in  moist  shady  situations, 
between  Ileal  del  Monte  and  Moran,  and  lloweis  in  .May. 

Qi'EKcis  nia-UKssA.  Q.  fruclimsa,  jiroaoiihnis  ;  riimiilis  pulii  sci  iitUnia  ;f(iliis  srin- 
pmin  nti/nis,  oljl(iiii;is,  iirulix,  basi  rolididiilis,  arsruir  il  r<  iitnlr  ilnilalis,  rigidis, 
glabris,  nitidis  ;  frnctibus  gfininis  nut  liriiis,  bn  lili  r  pidiuuidatis. 

This  speeics  is  an  eveiL!;reen  shrub,  numerously  ranufied,  and  only  1  or 
2  feet  in  h('i'j;ht :  it  abounds  in  the  same  situations  widi  the  preceding,  and 
dowers  in  May  and  June. 

(irnui's  C'liiivs.iiMiM.LA.  (>.  riiiiiiilis  stilciilis,  piibrxrt  nlihus  ;  fuliis  ohlow^if!,  biisi 
rofiiiiddtis,  apiii  III  vi  rnusriisjiiihilo-di  iitatis,  ii!(/iihriniiH(  is,  siijira  nitidis,  siibliis  ttna- 
issiiiic  uiin  ii-tdihi  niDsis  ;  fr:iiii!/iis  li  mis  mil  i/iiinis,  pi  diiiiriilniis. 

This  tree,  whicli  has  a  thin  foliage,  ris.s  lo  lln'  hci^'lii  ;  :'  V)  or  -10  feet, 
and  is  from  18  to  21  inches  in  diameter:  il  i^iows  in  the  lemperate  and 
stony  pails  of  New  Spain  between  Moran,  Paehuea  and  licgla,  and  (lowers 
in  May. 

(iiriKi's  jM.\ri;.NSis.  <^.  rinnis  tidn  rcidntis  ;  foliis  /()n:;r  jullolniis,  onitn-iddonnis, 
nruiiiiiiiilis,  rciiiitir  cnsjiiddlu-di  uliilis,  subciiiiiiri  is,  i;tiii/ris  ;  JriK  Idnis  s<dil(iriis  mtt 
genii, IIS,  bniilir  prdiniiiiliilis  ;  iniiiilis  :  :/iilliiJoriiiiliiis. 

Tills  is  a  veiy  loi'ly  tree,  about  2  feiM  in  diameter:  it  is  very  common  in 
the  forests  ni'ar  Jalapa,  on  the  ea.slern  side  of  the  mountains  ;  it  I'ructilles 
in  January. 

QiERci'.s  Adri  FOLIA.  Q.  fuliis  ovitlo-liinrciihttis,  arnmiiiatis,  iiKripKiUlrr  submrda- 
tis,  sitbliis  jiiiUirnh  nlo-toini  utiisir,  J'l  rniaiiii  is,  siniiitto-diiiliills  ;  dcntibns  tlmigutis, 
cuspiiliilis  ;  /rnctibiis  gciiiinis  ant  <iiiuirniis,  brcvissiiiw  pnlimculutis. 

A  very  lofty  tree,  about  2  led  in  diameter,  which  grows  on  the  west 
side  of  the  mountains  between  Veuta  de  AcaguisoUa  and  la  Majonera  :  it 
fructifies  in  Mny. 

QvEUCl'S  sriPL'l.ARls.  Q.  raniidiii  firrmiinm-tninrtitiisis  ;  /nliis  obnvntn-otiUtngis, 
siibcordiilis,  iirnnte  cl  grossc  deututis ;  irnssi  coriiici  is,  snprti  nitidis,  siibtnsjlavido- 
tomentosis  ;  slipulispcrsistcntibus  ;  J'ructibiis  stditariis  aiit  gemiuiii,  srssilibus. 

This  tree  rises   to  the  height  of  about  DO  feet,  and  has  a  thick  foliage  : 

it  is  found  on  the  mountains  of  Mexico  near  Actopan,  and  fructifies  in 

May. 

QiiERCus  PYOEnoxYiA.  Q.  ramulis pubcscrnlihvx  ;  foliis  nbntatn-oblongis,  basi  rntnn' 
lialis,  apirnm  versus  argute  srrr(itis,cordutis,  remote  it  obtuse  dcntalis,  membranaccis, 
sukns  tomentosis;  fruclibus  longc  pnlunculatis,  subspiiatis  ;  cupulis  hemifpharicis. 

A  very  lofty  tree,  from  1  to  2  feet  in  diameter :  it  grows  in  the  temperate 


f)6 


ADJXTIONS    TO    TlIK    OAKS. 


•\ 


regions  of  Now  Si)aiii,  near  Villalpando  and  Santa  Rosa,  and  fiuctilies  in 
SepUMiiljL'r. 

QirucfH  pi'i,r'iini.i,\.  Q.  minis  Inhrrrulalifi ;  fnJiis  ohnvnln-Mnni'ifi,  suhcarihith, 
am  iilc  il(  iildlis,  coriiiri  ix,  m'jini  iiili'lis,  siililiis  Iniiiissiiiir  inrdiiD-liiiiiciilimix  ;  fniclihiis 
gviiiiiiis,  lirt  lih  r  piiluiicii/diis  ;  ciijnilis  il( jirissiisjihtiricis. 

'J'his  tiuL'  is  tVom  J.")  to  -JO  I'cvA  in  lui^iit,  ami  <j,i()\vs  in  tlio  nioiiiitainoiis 
regions  of  New  Spain  Ijehveen  Cuianiijuato  and  Santa  llo^a  ;  it  fructifies 
in  SepU  iiiluT. 

(iL'i:K(  IS  ijr.iicii,  \T.\.  (i-  riiiiinVis  siihpiilii  sonliliiis  ;  fujiis  anhsi  ssUihiix,  olinvniis, 
citrdiilin,  riiiKtIi  (liiiliilis,  inrianis,  riiLinsis.  siililiis  li  iiiii.ssiiiic  Ihiik  iilasis  ;  J'riiclihiis 
gciiiiiiis,  liiiiiir  jii ihniciildlis  ;  i-iijii'lis  ri/iilliij'tiniiihiis. 

A  tall  tree  wliieli  grows  in  the  mouiilainous  parts  of  \cw  Spain  between 
Santa  Rosa  and  (uianajiiato,  anil  fructifies  in  Sej)leinl)er. 

(irr.iicis  ( I!  \s.sii.'oi.i\.  Q.  rtiiiu'lin  srili-<il(K,fiilii.<(iiir  ,\ii/)liisJliivcsrr)iti-lomnitosls, 
hn  viler  ]ii  liolalis,  iilmvalis  cnrdalis,  r<  nwtc  dcnialis,  craxsc  voriactis  ;  J'ntclihiis  sitbUr- 
llis,  ]>iilinictiliilis  ;  fiijiiilis  sii/ixjilitiriris, 

Tiiis  tree  is  i'loni  30  to  tO  feet  high,  and  has  a  very  tliick  foliage  ;  it  Is 
found  in  the  stony  and  mountainous  regions  of  New  .Spain  near  Chilpan- 
cingo,  ami  fiuctilies  in  Apiil. 

QilMKls  ^I'lCATA  (j.  niniiili.s lomrnlosis-  ;fiiiiis  illijilicis,  xiniiiilti-ilt  iildlis,  rnriariis, 
siijini  iiiliilis,  siihliis  Iciiiiinsiiiic  Cdui  sfiiili-ldiiiciilosis  ;  Jriiclihii.s  sii/jgt  minis,  bn  li.ssiinu 
j)riliniriiliilis :  riipiilis  ci/iillii/'iinnilii's. 

This  species  is  from  :'>()  to  10  feet  in  height,  ami  is  found  in  shady  situa- 
tions near  el  Oyainel,  el  .I;iciil,  ami  Ceiro  di;  his  Naliajas  ;  it  fructifies  in  May. 

Qei:K<  IS  I'ANDiu  A  TA.  Q.  rniiinlis  hrvi'niK,  liirlis,fiiliis  i)liiniito-i)/)lniii;is,  siihpaiuliirii- 
lis,  sii//c(iriliilis,  siitimto-ib  nlii/is,  cnrinci  is,  siililits  piiljcsccnlil/i's  ;  fniclibiis  siiljiininis, 
jiciluni'liliilis  ;  atjnilis  ci/iil'iijnrinifiifs. 

This  species  is  about  15  feet  high:  it  is  found  on  the  sides  of  the  moun- 
tains in  the  kiii'j;doin  of  Mechoacan,  between  Ario  ami  Palzcuaro:  it  fruc- 
tifies in  September. 

(llKHCls  AMitlclA.  Q.  riiiiiiiUs  r:!/if,r:s,(il)nrriln-(ilil(i)is  is,  iililiisis,  Itnsi  rolinidalis,  siih- 
rrjianilis,  mrmhfdnarris,  sn/iliis  (cuiiis.siiiii'  /iiili( sci:iililtiis  ;  J'rdcliltiis  (jiiinis  dul  srjitc- 
nis  jHildJiciilalis  ,  peilniirn/is  ui  minis,  iloimdiis, 

'I'liis  tree  is  about  -20  feet  high,  and  is  I'ound  in  the  temperate  regions  of 
Mexico  near  Moran,  C'erro  \'eiitoso  ami  Omillon  :   it  lloweis  in  I^Iay. 

QuEIWl'S  (II,  vi<i:sci;s:s.  (^.  niiiinlis  diiiriilulis  ;  /'iiliis  Itrrcissinif  jn  tiohilis,  oliDt'atn- 
i)lili>iii<is,  tihhisiiiyfilis,  hiisi  c'liidlis,  ilt  nlnlii-sinudlis,  nii  iiihruiidii  is,i^lduci  sccnlihds  ; 
J'riirlihiis  ijiiiiiis  dut  siplinis,  jiriliiiicitldlis, 

A  tall  tree,  very  common  i:i  the  warn  parts  of  New  Spain,  between  la 
Venta  de  la  Majoiena  and  Acaguisolla  :  it  blooms  in  April. 

(iri:Rfi-s  oiiTi'SATA.  Q.  ra,nuJis  tuJicrciihttis,  tiiidilcr  jiiihf  sciiilihds  ,fi)liir  ohlnngix, 
nhliisis  htisi  idd'ijiidlil/iis,  rrpdihlis,  c.oridciis,  suhliis  ptilvi  rnknto-piibcsccntibds  ;  friic- 
tibris  siihipiiiiis.  pnldnriildlis  ;  riijiiilis  cdmpdniildtn-fihbfisis. 

This  species  is  very  tail,  widi  a  remaikably  straight  trunk:  it  is  found 
in  the  elevated  and  dry  parts  of  New  Spain  near  Ario,  and  (lowers  in 
September. 


clilies  III 


iihrorihili^t 
;fnirlihllS 

iintainous 
IVucl'ifies 

s,  ohncalif, 
;  fnuliliiis 

n  between 

i-lnmrntosis, 
libits  siiblrr- 

liagc  ;  it  is 
ir  Cliilpau- 

lin,  rnrinrrin, 
),s,  ini;i.>'»""« 

sliady  situa- 
fiLsin  May. 

nhpimiltira- 
HIS  xubqiiinis, 

the  inouu- 
10 :  it  tVuc- 

liiniJdt"',  •"<•"''- 


ro^ions  of 

May. 

litis,  oliovdlo- 
iiciscenUbiix  ; 


between  la 


olii?  ohlnn/fi', 
^nlibiis ;  frnc- 


it  is  found 
llowcrs  in 


' 


W  A  I.  N  u  r  s. 


Of  the  various  (roes  wliirli  coinpnso  the  vast  forests  of  Xortli  Anierica  cast 
of  the  .Mississippi,  tlie  Walnut  laiilvs  alter  tlie  Oak,  amont;  the  genera,  tlie 
species  of  wliieh  are  most  nuiltij)lie(l.  In  lliis  j)artieiilar,  the  snil'of  the 
United  States  is  more  favoured  than  that  of  Ivirope,  in  no  jjart  of  wliieh  is 
any  si)eeies  of  this  tre<'  indifj;eiious.  I  have  disliii^uislied  in  tlie  I'liitcd 
States  ten  s])ecies  of  Walnut,  and  others  will  prol)ahly  ])e  discovered  in 
I^((uisiana  :  travellers  who  visit  tliese  rei^ions  to  exjjlnre  their  natural  his- 
tory, sliould  dire('t  their  aitention  to  this  ehiss  of  vegetables,  so  interesting 
from  the  useful  applications  of  their  wood  in  the  arts.  There,  is  room  to 
hope,  also,  that  species  may  l)e  discovered,  susccptiijie,  like  the  Pecannut 
llicliory,  of  rapid  imiirovenuMit  hy  the  aid  of  grafting  and  attentive  culli- 
A'ation.  Some  weight  is  given  this  consideration,  iiv  an  observation  whi(di 
I  have  often  heard  repeated  l)y  my  father,  that  the  fruit  of  the  Common 
European  Walnut,  in  its  natural  slate,  is  harder  than  tliat  of  the  American 
species  just  mentioned,  and  inferior  to  it  in  size  and  (pudity.  'I'o  tin; 
memliers  of  agricidtural  societies  in  the  I'nitcd  States  it  ixdongs,  to  extend 
their  oliservalicuis  ami  experinu  nlsoii  this  subpcl,  afier  the  example  ol'our 
ancestcu'S,  to  whom  we  are  imiehted  lor  a  rich  ^  ariety  of  fruits,  e(piidly 
salutary  and  heautitul. 

The  Walnuts  of  North  America  appear  to  i)resent  charantors  so  distinct 
as  to  recpiire  their  division  into  two  sections.  These  characters  consist 
jnincipally  in  the  form  of  the  harren  aments  or  catkins,  and  in  the  greater 
or  less  rapidity  of  vegetation  in  the  trees.  The  fust  section  is  composed 
of  Walnuts  with  single  ainenls,  (IM.  2!)  and  ."?*),)  and  includes  two  species  : 
the  Black  Walnut  and  the  ibitlernut ;  to  which  is  added  the  European 
Walnut.  The  second  section  consists  of  such  as  have  compound  ameuts, 
(IM.  3(),)  and  C()m[)rises  eii;ht  species:  the  Pecannut  Hickory,  Hitternut 
Hickory,  Water  llitti'rmil  Hickory,  Mockernut  Hickory,  Shellhark  Hickory, 
'I'liick  Shel'liark  Hicktuy,  Pignut  Hickoiy,  and  Nutmeg  Hickorv.  The 
three  first  species  ul'  tin.'  second  srction  hear  some  ri'lalion  to  those  of  the 
first,  in  t!;i'ii  buds  which  aic  not  co\ered  \yiih  scales,  ['"or  this  reason, 
1  iiave  placed  diem  immediately  ne\t,  beginning  widi  tiie  Pecannut  Hick- 


•if 


i: 


5  ' 


6S 


W  ALN  ITS. 


ory  wliicli,  by  its  niiinoroiis.  leaflets,  most  nearly  reseiiil)les  the  Jilack  Wal- 
nut anil  tin;  Diitlcmtit,  wlinse  IjucIs  are  also  iiiicovereil. 

'Jliroii^lioiil  the  I'liiled  Slates,  the  eoininoii  name   of    Ifickory  is   f^iven 
to  the  s|)eeics  ol'  the  seconil  section. 
)f  tl 


Tlii 


s  universal  appellation  is  due  to 


certain  properties  of  tlieir  wood,  which,  howi.'ver  tnodilied,  are  possessed 
hv  II 


H'Mi  al 


in   a   greater     'I'oiee   tlian    liv  anv  o'lier  tree    o 


)'h 


.f   ]• 


iirope   or 


orni,  anc 


America.  'J'hese  species  e\liil)it  also  a  strikin;^  iui;doQ;y  in  their  1 
in  their  leaves,  though  they  dill'er  in  the  numher  and  size  of  their  leallels. 
To  these  sources  of  confusion,  must  be  adiled  another  in  the  fruit,  which 
is  often  so  various  in  its  appearance,  that  it  is  easy  to  mistake  the  si)ecies 
to  which  it  belontj;s.  It  is  not  then,  on  the  most  remarkable  dillerenccs 
alone,  that  our  distinctions  must  be  founded  ;  recourse  must  also  be  had  to 
m  examination  of  the  shoots   of  the   preceding  year,  of  the   buds   and  of 


tl 


It 


ily  1) 


th 


^f  th 


onstant  observation 
country,  pursued  througn  tlic  course  of  a  summer,  tliat  1  hecaine  alile 
iciidily  to  distinguish  between  mere  varieties  and  species.  M.  Delille  of 
the  institute  of  Egypt,  who  was  at  that  time  in  the  United  States,  took  an 
active  part  in  my  researches,  and  resorted  with  mc  daily  to  the  woods.  Our 
investigations,  I  flatter  myself,  have  had  the  result,  which  may  always  be 
hoped  for,  from  unwearied  perseverance. 

From  the  considerations  alleged,  and  i)rincipnlly  from  the  striking  resem- 
blance of  their  wood,  I  have  thought  proper,  in  describing  the  species  of 
Hickory,  to  speak  but  summarily  of  their  respective  properties  and  to  treat 
of  this  part  of  the  subject  collectively  and  comparatively,  more  at  large,  in 
a  separate  article  which  will  complete  their  history. 

[For  additional  information  on  the  Walnuts,  see  Nultall's  Supplement, 
vol.  I.  p.  39. 

The  genus  Ci'irya,  has  been  separated  from  Jiiglans  by  Nutlali,  chiefly  on 
account  of  a  technical  distinction  in  the  fruit. 

Piopa^ration,  &.c.  The  species  is  propagated  by  the  nut ;  which  when 
the  tree  is  to  be  grown  chiclly  for  its  timber,  is  best  sown  where  it  is  finally 
to  remain,  on  account  of  the  taproot,  which  will  thus  have  its  full  influence 
on  the  vigour  and  prosperity  of  the  tree.  In  soils,  on  moist,  or  otherwise 
unfavourable  subsoils,  if  sown  where  it  is  not  finally  to  remain,  a  tile,  slate, 
or  flat  stone  should  be  placed  under  the  nut  at  the  depth  of  three  or  four 
inches,  to  give  tlie  taproot  a  horizontal  direction  ;  or  if  this  precaution  is 
neglected,  the  tajiroot  may  be  cut  through  with  a  spade  six  or  eight  inches 
below  the  nut.  In  a  dry  or  rocky  subsoil,  or  among  rocks,  no  precaution 
ot"  this  kind  is  necessary.  The  varieties  may  l)e  propagated  by  budding, 
giafliiig,  in,i  .  'ling,  '^    layering,  and,  possii)ly,  by  cuttings  of  the  root. 

The  nuts  .nay  be  sown  as  soon  as  gathered,  if  there  is  no  danger  nom 
veiiiiin  ;  but  il  there  i:>,  defer  sowing  till  February.     The  most  convenient 


I 


the  Jilack  VVal- 

i('K-ory  is  f^ivcn 
II;\tioii  is  due  to 
I,  art'  jiosst'ssiil 
ol'  Kiiiope  or 
tlit'ii'  Ibnii,  and 
)(■  tlii'ir  loallets. 
the  IViiit,  whicli 
take  the  si)eciu.s 
ahle  diU'erenccs 
t  also  be  liad  to 
le  buds  and  of 
e  forests  of  the 
I  In'canie  alilo 
.  M.  Dclille  of 
Slates,  took  an 
he  woods.  Our 
may  always  be 

strikiiif^j  rcscm- 
;  the  species  of 
;lies  and  to  treat 
lore  at  hirgc,  in 


's  Suiiplement, 

illall,  chiefly  on 

which   when 

lere  it  is  finally 

full  influence 

t,  or  otherwise 

n,  a  tile,  slate, 

three  or  four 

piecaution  is 

eight  inches 

no  precaution 

by  budding, 

the  root. 

danger  from 

st  convenient 


\VALN[  TS. 


nil 


mode  is  to  deposit  the  seed  in  drills,  two  feet  apart  from  each  other,  plac- 
ing the  seeds  at  from  three  to  six  inciies  apnrt  in  the  drills.  If  germinated 
in  a  ht  a|)  ijelore  sowing,  the  points  ol  llir  l,ipnHit  nia\  br  pinrheil  oil"  bif  ue 
l)lanting.  Whether  sown  in  drills  or  broud  cast,  almost  the  only  attention 
rt^pdred  in  their  culture  while  in  the  nursery  is,  to  shorten  once  a  year, 
the  lap,  or  main  root,  in  order  to  induce  them  to  throw  out  fibres,  for 
the  purpose  of  facililaling  their  transplantation,  which  if  performed  in  the 
autumn,  should  be  followed  in  ttie  spring  bt  lore  the  sap  begins  to  rise,  by 
culling  the  head  of  the  tree  entirely  oil',  leaving  only  a  main  stem,  termina- 
ting in  the  slumps  of  the  principal  branches.  The  wounds  of  these  stumps 
are  earelully  covered  with  plaster  composed  of  loam  and  cowdung,  or  graft- 
ing clay,  secured  from  the  weather  by  straw  and  cords.  Trees  thus  treated, 
j)usli  out  shoots  of  great  vigour  the  first  year,  and  these  being  thinned  out 
or  rublied  oil',  the  remainder  soon  form  a  head. 

Stiihinil  silitiition.  The  Walnuts  attain  the  largest  size  in  a  deep  loamy 
soil,  dry  rather  than  moist ;  but  the  fruit  has  the  best  llavour,  and  ju'oduces 
n)ost  oil,  when  the  tree  is  grown  in  calcareous  soils,  or  among  calcareous 
rocks;  in  a  wct-bollomed  soil,  it  will  not  thrive.  The  Walnut  is  not  a 
social  tree,  and  neither  produces  good  timber  nor  tVuit  when  j)lanted  in 
masses.  The  Walnut  is  generally  considered  injurious,  by  its  shade,  both 
to  man  and  plants. 

Hickories  planted  in  masses  should  be  thinned  when  the  plants  have 
attained  the  height  of  liom  five  to  eight  feet,  the  larger  trees  l)eini:  h'fl  for 
limber,  for  ornanieni,  or  for  fruil.  Managed  in  this  way,  and  gradually 
exposed  to  the  action  of  the  sivi  and  air,  they  will  have  their  peculiar 
beauties  developed  in  the  fullest  manner.  'I'lie  wood  which  has  grown 
most  rapidly  is  the  most  valuable,  having  least  of  the  heart  wood.  The 
ashes  (if  ilic  Iliekories  abound  in  alkali,  and  are  consideii-d  beller  for  the 
jinrpose  of  making  soap,  than  any  other  of  the  native  woods,  being  next  to 
those  of  the  Ap|)le  tree.  The  shellbark  grows  best  on  the  border  of  culti- 
vated land,  or  on  the  edge  of  a  forest.  Some  of  our  gardeners  have  paid 
attention  to  procuring  the  best  nuts  for  cultivation,  and  the  "  true  thin- 
shelled"  may  now  be  purchased  from  the  nurseries  ;  the  nuts,  however, 
•will  differ  in  different  soils  and  situations,  and  even  on  individual  trees 
growing  in  innnediale  proximity.] 


11 


f     (50     J 


METHODICAL  DlSl'OSITION 

OF  TIIK 

WALNUTS 

OF 

NORTH    AMERICA. 


Momccla  Pohjanilria,  Linn.     Tcrebinlhacc.r,  Juaa. 

FIRST  SECTION. 

Simple  amenta.     [PI.  29  nnd  aO.) 
VEGETATION    RAPID. 


1.  Common  Europonn  Walnut, . 

2.  IJlaclc  Walnut, 

3.  Butternut.  , 


Jiiu^lans  rcii'ia. 
Jua^/ans  nip'd. 
Juqluns  calhatlica. 


SECOND  SECTION. 


HICKORIES. 
Compound  amcnts,  each  peduncle  bearing  three.     {PI.  Ii6,/ig.  3.) 


VEGETATION    SLOW. 


4.  Pecannut  Hickory, 

5.  Bitternut  Hickory, 

6.  Water  Bitternut  Hickory, 

7.  Mockornut  Mickory, 

8.  Slielibark  Hickory, 

9.  'riiick  Shelli.ark  Hickory, 

10.  Pignut  Hickory, 

11.  Nutmeg  Hickory, 


Juglans  [Cdrya)  oHi\rform{s. 
Jiiglans  {Cdrjja)  nmnra. 
Juglanx  [Cdrjia')  nqiia/ica. 
Jiighnin  [Ciirij(i)  tomrtilosii. 
Jiiglans  (Cdriju)  sijuaniosa. 
JiigltDis  [('iirij(i)  laciniosit. 
Juglujis  (Cdriju)  porcina. 
Jiigluns  [Curya)  myrinticifformis. 


iiSS. 


Xfig.  3.) 


^livirformis. 

iinnra. 

'fjit(i/ica. 

')mnifustt. 

'/mimosa , 

'ciiiiosa. 

orcina. 

yristicaformis. 


"  1 1 


Hi 

fl 


i?  i 


A  .., 


CoiiuMoii  K uropraii  \\  aliiul 


/y.  .<, 


^ 


f     ! 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


h 


1.0 


I.I 


2.2 

1.8 


IL25  1 1.4 


m 


—    6" 


9. 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


qv 


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;\ 


K 


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^ 


■<^" 


J 


^ 


[  «!1  J 


.. 


COMMON  EUROPEAN  WALNUT. 

JuoLANs  REoiA.  J.  follolis  subsrptenls,  ovalilnis,  :;hibris,  sitbscrralls,  subxqiud- 

iOun :  fntclibtis  subovulibus. 

The  Walnut  which  for  several  centuries  has  been  cultivated  in  Europe 
is  a  native  of  Asia.  According  to  an  ancient  but  uncertain  tradition,  its 
fruit  was  brought  from  Persia  with  the  Peach  and  the  Apricot.  My  father, 
who,  in  the  years  1782,  'S3,  and  '84,  visited  that  part  of  the  East  to  examine 
its  natural  productions,  first  ascertained  with  exactness,  the  origin  of  this 
tree  :  he  found  it  in  the  natural  state,  in  the  province  of  Gliilan,  which  lies 
on  the  Caspian  Sea,  between  the  35th  and  40th  degrees  of  latitude. 

The  period  of  its  introduction  into  Europe,  a  point  on  which  ancient 
authors  leave  us  in  oI)scurity,  is  proved  to  be  remote,  by  several  rites  in  use 
among  the  Romans:  such,  for  instance,  as  the  distribution  of  nuts  in  the 
Ccrcalia.  In  the  village  festival  of  the  fiosicre,  instituted  by  St.  iNIedard, 
at  Salency,  Department  of  the  Oise,  1200  years  ago,  it  is  directed,  that  an 
offering  composed  of  nuts  and  other  fruits  of  the  country,  shall  be  presented 
to  the  young  maid  who  is  crowned  :  which  proves  the  tree  to  have  been 
already  naturalized  in  that  part  of  France. 

The  Walnut  is  common  throughout  the  centre  of  Europe,  but  it  flourishes 
most  in  the  western  and  southern  Departments  of  Franct ,  in  Spain  and  in 
Italy,  which  approach  nearest  to  the  latitude  in  which  it  grows  natu- 
rally. In  France,  it  is  only  in  the  west  and  south,  where  the  vegetation 
of  the  Walnut  is  perfectly  secure  from  frost,  that  its  wood  is  of  a  superior 
quality,  and  that  its  fruit  is  regularly  yielded  in  sufficient  abundance  to  be- 
come an  article  of  commerce. 

The  European  Walnut  is  one  of  the  tallest  and  most  beautiful  among 
fruit  trees,  and  one  of  the  most  remarkable  for  the  amplitude  of  its  summit, 
and  the  thickness  of  its  shade.  On  the  trunk  of  old  trees,  which  frequently 
are  several  feet  in  diameter,  the  bark  is  thick  and  deeply  furrowed  ;  on  the 
upper  branches  it  is  gray  and  smooth,  a  good  deal  resembling  that  of  the 
Butternut.  The  leaves  are  borne  by  long  petioles,  and  are  composed  of  2, 
3,  and  sometimes  4  pair  of  leaflets,  surmounted  by  an  odd  one.  The  leaflets 
are  oval  and  smooth  ;  when  bruised,  they  exhale  a  strong  aromatic  odor. 
In  the  extreme  heat  of  summer,  the  emanations  from  the  Walnut  are  so 
powerful  as  to  produce  unpleasant  elTects  upon  some  perscns,  if  they  slum- 
ber in  its  shade. 

The  flowers  of  the  Common  European  Walnut,  like  those  of  the  Black 
Walnut  and  Butternut,  appear  before  the  unfolding  of  the  leaves ;  the  bar- 


f;2 


C  ( )  M  M  C)  N     !•:  I.  ]{  ()  P  I :  A  N     W  A  I.  N  I   T. 


ren  ones  in  s'lDiflo,  ])(Mi(liilnus,  iinhricalcd  iiiticiils;  (ho  I'orlile  ones  on 
separate  branches,  at  the  end  ol'  the  young  shoots,  and  commonly  in  pairs. 
The  fruit  is  green  and  C)val,  and  in  the  natural  slali;  contains  a  small  hartl 
nut.  In  the  most  esteemed  cnllivated  spet'ies,  the  Iruit  is  oval  and  strongly 
odorilerous,  about  an  inch  and  two  tldrds  long,  and  from  an  inch  and  a 
quarter  to  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter.  Tlie  nut  occupies  two  thirds  of 
its  volume. 

Towards  autumn,  the  husk  softens,  and  decaying  from  about  the  nut, 
allows  it  to  fall.  Tlie  shell  is  slightly  channeled,  and  so  thin  as  to  be 
easily  crushed  by  the  fingers.  The  kernel  is  of  a  very  agreeable  taste  :  it 
is  large,  covered  with  a  fine  pellicle,  and  separated  by  a  thin  partition, 
which  may  readily  be  detached  both  from  the  shell  and  from  the  kernel. 

The  nuts  are  better  tasted  and  easier  of  digestion,  soon  after  their  matu- 
rity, than  later  in  the  season,  when  the  oily  priiicij)le  becomes  perfectly 
formed;  they  are  then  oppressive  if  immoderately  eaten. 

A  dessert  of  an  excellent  relish  is  made  by  extracting  the  kernels  a  fort- 
night before  they  are  ripe,  and  seasoning  them  with  the  juice  of  green 
grapes  and  salt.  They  should  be  thrown  into  water  as  soon  as  they  are 
taken  from  the  shell,  and  allowed  to  remain  till  the  moment  when  they  are 
seasoned  to  be  set  upon  the  table.  They  are  sold  in  Paris  by  the  name  of 
Cerneuux,  and  a  greater  (piantity  of  walnuts  is  consumed  in  this  way  by 
people  in  easy  circumstances,  than  after  they  are  perfectly  ripe :  the  use  of 
them  is  then  almost  exclusively  confined  to  the  lower  classes. 

'J"he  Common  Walnut  is  more  multiplied  in  the  Departments  of  France 
which  lie  between  the  45th  and  the  48th  degrees  of  latitude,  than  in  any 
other  part  of  Europe.  In  these  Uepartmcnts,  it  is  planted  in  the  midst  of 
cultivated  fields,  like  the  apple  tree  for  cider,  in  those  of  the  north  and  the 
centre:  the  fruit,  the  oil,  and  the  wood,  may  be  considered  as  forming  one 
of  their  principal  blanches  of  commerce. 

In  extracting  the  oil  of  Walnuts,  certain  delicate  attentions  are  necessary 
to  insure  its  fineness.  When  the  iruit  is  gathered,  and  the  nuts  are  separ- 
ated from  the  husks,  they  should  be  kept  dry,  and  occasionally  moved  till 
they  are  used.  The  proper  time  for  the  operation  is  at  the  close  of  win- 
ter, as  in  this  interval,  the  change  by  which  the  mucilage  of  the  fruit  is 
converted  into  oil  has  become  completely  effected,  and  by  longer  delay  the 
kernel  grows  rancid,  and  the  oil  is  of  a  vitiated  quality.  The  nut  is  crack- 
ed by  striking  it  on  the  end  with  a  small  mallet,  and  pains  are  taken  not  to 
bruise  the  k(!rnel.  The  slight  ligneous  jjartilion  is  detached,  and  such 
kernels  as  are  partially  spoiled  are  selected  and  thrown  aside.  The  sound 
kernels,  thus  cleared  from  every  particle  ol  Uie  shell,  should  be  sent 
immediately  to  the  mill,  as  they  soon  become  rancid  by  exposure  to  the 
air.  They  are  crushed  by  a  vertical  stone  which  turns  in  a  circular  trough, 
and  is  moved  by  a  horse  or  by  a  current  of  water.  The  paste  is  next  enclosed 


le  ones  on 
ily  in  pairs, 
I  snuiU  hard 
iiid  strongly 
incli  and  a 
;o  thirds  of 

Hit  the  nut, 
in  as  to  be 
jlo  taste  :  it 
n  partition, 
lie  kernel, 
their  niatu- 
es  pert'ectly 

rnels  a  fort- 
ee  of  green 

as  they  are 
hen  they  are 
the  name  of 
this  way  by 

:  the  use  of 

ts  of  France 

than  in  any 

the  midst  of 

rtli  and  the 

loimiiig  one 

re  necessary 
are  separ- 
moved  till 
Dse  of  win- 
Ihe  fruit  is 
er  delay  the 
ut  is  crack- 
iken  not  to 
,  and  such 
The  sound 
I  be  sent 
sure  to  the 
ular  trough, 
xt  enclosed 


C  0  M  IM  0  N    E  (J  IK)  P  i:  AN    W  A  L  N  1 1  T. 


in  bags  of  strong  linen  and  submitted  to  the  press.  Tlic  oil  which  Hows 
under  this  first  pressure  witliout  the  ap[)licalicui  of  heat,  is  of  the  best  qua- 
lity. It  is  very  clear,  and  is  proper  for  food  ;  but  it  scnsilily  retains  the 
taste  of  the  nut,  which  in  general  is  not  agreeable  to  persons  unaccustomed 
to  it,  so  that  the  consumption  is  limited  1o  the  Departments  where  it  is 
made.  To  be  kept  sweet  for  the  table,  it  should  be  drawn  oH"  several 
times  during  the  first  innnlhs,  carefully  corked,  and  stored  in  the  cellar,  as  it 
is  more  easily  affected  than  any  other  oil  by  the  action  of  air  and  heat. 

After  the  first  expression,  the  paste  is  emptied  from  the  sacks,  moistened 
with  warm  water,  and  moderately  heated  in  coppers.  It  is  then  replaced 
in  the  sacks  and  returned  to  the  press.  The  oil  of  the  second  discharge 
is  highly  colored,  and  very  speedily  becomes  rancid  ;  it  is  therefore  em- 
jdoyed  only  in  the  preparation  of  colors.  The  cakes  which  remain  after 
the  expression  is  finished,  arc  used  for  fattening  fowls. 

Although  nut  oil,  as  an  article  of  diet,  is  in  general  usb  in  the  Depart- 
ments where  the  tree  abounds,  it  serves  a  slill  more  important  purpose  in 
the  preparation  of  fine  colors.  It  is  preferred  on  account  of  the  complete 
and  rapid  manner  in  which  it  dries,  and  of  the  facility  of  obtaining  it  per- 
fectly limpid ;  which  is  done  by  dilfusing  it  upon  water  in  large  shallow 
vases. 

In  copper-plate  printing,  walnut  oil  is  considered,  in  Paris,  indispensably 
necessary  for  a  fine  impression,  in  black  or  in  colors.  But  there  are  peculiar 
modes  of  preparing  it  for  the  several  colors  with  which  it  is  to  be  mixed. 
Thus  for  white,  blue,  light  green,  and  the  intermediate  shades,  it  is 
reduced  by  boiling  to  two  thirds  of  its  bulk;  but  for  dark  green  and  black, 
to  one  fifth,  which  leaves  it  a  thick,  seinilluid  substance.  To  facilitate  the 
process,  one  tenth  part  of  linseed  oil  is  added  to  it  ;  it  is  then  placed  in  an 
iron  or  copper  vessel,  over  an  active,  clear  fire.  When  it  begins  to  boil 
rapidly,  ti  e  vessel  is  uncovered,  and  the  oil  takes  fire  by  contact  with  the 
flame,  and  burns  till  it  is  reduced  to  the  proper  consistency  :  sometimes  it  is 
not  allowed  to  kindle,  but  when  the  ebullition  commences,  crusts  of  bread 
are  thrown  into  it,  wdiieh  remain  till  the  necessary  evaporation  is  effected,  and 
are  then  taken  out,  charged  with  mucilaginous  particles.  The  principal 
advantage  of  this  oil,  in  the  preparation  of  white  lead  for  painting  the 
interior  of  houses,  as  well  as  of  the  colors  employed  in  copper-plate  printing, 
is  the  longer  and  more  perfect  preservation  of  the  tints.  The  back  of  prints 
done  with  it  do  not  turn  yellow  like  others. 

A  fine  stomachic  liquor  is  made  with  the  fruit  of  the  Walnut,  gathered  a 
month  before  its  maturity.  Twelve  green  nuts  in  the  husk  are  bruised 
and  thrown  into  a  pint  of  good  brandy ;  after  they  have  steeped  three 
weeks,  the  brandy  is  filtered  through  brown  paper,  and  a  quarter  of  a 
pound  of  loaf  sugar  is  added.     This  cordial  improves  by  age. 

Dyers  obtain,  by  boiling  the  husks  when  they  begin  to  dscay,  and  the 


,!     t 


ii 


ii  1 
i 

■  ( 
! 


64 


COMMON  EUROPEAN  WALNUT. 


bark  of  the  roots,  a  substantial  dark  brown,  with  which  they  tlye  woolens. 
Cabinet-makers  also  make  use  of  it,  in  staining  other  pieces  of  wood  in 
imitation  of  Walnut. 

Among  the  American  Walnuts  which  are  found  cast  of  the  Mississippi, 
the  Black  Walnut  bears  the  greatest  resemblance  to  the  European  Walnut, 
in  its  general  appearance,  in  its  (lowers  and  fruit,  and  in  the  qualities  of  its 
wood  :  in  foliage  they  are  strikingly  difl'erent.  The  wood  of  the  European 
Walnut  is  inferior  in  strength  and  weight,  and,  I  believe,  far  more  liable 
to  injury  from  worms. 

Twenty  or  thirty  years  ago,  before  Mahogany  was  imported  in  such 
abundance  into  Europe,  Walnut  wood  was  employed  almost  exclusively, 
in  cabinet-making.  In  the  country,  it  is  still  in  general  use,  and  the  furni- 
ture made  of  it  is  far  from  being  inelegant,  especially  pieces  obtained  from 
such  old  trees  as  bear  small  and  thick  shelled  nuts.  It  is  preferred  for  the 
stocks  of  muskets  ;  and  in  Paris  and  lirussels,  no  other  wood  is  used  for 
the  pannels  of  carriages.  The  old  trees  furnish  excellent  screws  for  large 
presses.  Great  (piantities  of  wooden  shoes  are  manufactured  of  Walnut, 
which  are  more  highly  esteemed  than  others. 

The  wood  of  the  European  Walnut  is  largely  exported  from  the  south 
of  France  to  the  North,  and  to  Holland  and  (Jcrniany :  formerly,  it  was 
carried  to  England. 

Like  other  fruit  trees,  whoso  peifection  is  among  the  "  noblest  conquests 
of  industrious  man,"  the  Walnut  has  been  greatly  improved,  by  long  and 
careful  cultivation.  There  are  seven  or  eight  cultivaled  varieties,  whose 
superiority  is  jjrincipally  apparent  in  the  augmented  size  of  the  fruit,  and 
in  the  diminished  thickness  of  the  shell.  Of  these  the  most  esteemed, 
after  that  wliich  I  have  described,  are  the  St.  Jean  and  the  J««/^'-e  Walnuts. 
The  St.  John  Walnut,  is  a  variety  obtained  wilhin  a  few  years.  It  yields 
fruit  as  large  and  as  abundant  as  the  common  Walnut,  and  fur  that  part  of 
Europe  which  lies  beyond  the  4ulh  degree  of  latitude,  it  possesses  an 
advantage,  in  opening  its  vegetation  three  weeks  later,  and  in  being  thus 
secure  liom  the  injuries  of  frost.  The  Jcivge  Walnut  is  chiefly  remarkable 
for  the  size  of  its  fruit,  which  is  twice  as  laige  as  the  variety  represented 
in  the  plate.  It  is  unproductive,  and  the  kernel  does  not  fill  the  shell. 
The  Jauge  nut  is  made  into  cases  by  jewellers,  and  furnished  with  trinkets 
for  the  amusement  of  children. 

The  wood  of  the  Black  Walnut  is  already  superior  to  that  of  the  European 
Walimt,  and  it  will  acquire  a  still  finer  grain,  when  it  is  raised  on  lands 
that  have  been  long  under  cultivation.  It  is  solely  for  the  excellency  of  its 
fruit,  and  the  decided  supeiiority  of  its  oil  in  the  preparation  of  colors,  that 
the  European  Walnut  should  be  warmly  recommended  to  the  attention  of 
Americans.  It  would  thrive  better  than  elsewhere  in  places  where  the 
Black  Walnut  naturally  abounds. 


COMMON    E  U  U  O  P  K  A  N    W  A  T .  \  U  T, 


f)5 


ye  woolens. 
1  of  wood  in 

Mississippi, 
enn  Walnut, 
lalilics  of  its 
lie  European 
[•  more  liable 

rted  in  such 
exclusively, 
md  the  furni- 
htained  from 
erred  for  the 
d  is  used  for 
jws  for  large 
[  of  Walnut, 

im  llic  south 
nierly,  it  was 

nst  conquests 

by  long  and 

ieties,  whose 

the  fruit,  and 

)st  esteemed, 

uiTR  Walnuts. 

s.     It  yields 

r  that  part  of 

possesses  an 

n  being  thus 

y  remarkable 

■  represented 

"ill   the  shell. 

with  trinkets 

[he  European 
led  on  lauds 
}llency  of  its 
If  colors,  that 
attention  of 
Is  where  the 


III  some  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  the  J3lack  Walnuts  have 
been  preserved  in  clearing  the  lands:  grcal  advantage  would  be  found  in 
grafting  (liem  witii  the  Europiaii  Walmit.  The  liml)s  should  be  eut  Ifj 
inehcs  from  the  trunk,  and  from  the  slumps  will  spring  vigorous  shoots, 
which  the  second  year  may  be  grafted  i)y  inoculation.  Fifty  or  sixty  buds 
should  be  set  upon  each  tree,  as  is  practised  near  Lyons ;  where  h  is  found, 
that  by  inserting  the  Walnut  of  St.  John  on  the  common  Walnut,  the  fruit 
is  rendered  finer,  and  the  crop  more  certain.  Ulack  Walnuts  thus  grafted 
begin  to  bear  the  fifth  year.  On  estates  where  nolJIaek  Walnuts  exist,  the 
defieiency  may  be  su])plied  by  planting  the  nuts,  and  grafting  the  young 
stocks  when  they  come  to  the  height  of  8  or  10  feet. 

It  should  be  observed,  that  in  the  Walnut,  more  than  any  other  tree,  it 
is  necessary  on  account  of  the  loose  texture  of  the  wood  and  the  large 
volume  of  the  pith,  to  protect  the  amputated  limbs  from  the  weather.  A 
covering  of  clay  should  be  so  nicely  adapted  to  the  exposed  surface,  as 
entirely  to  exclude  the  rain,  otherwise  decay  will  commence,  and  spread 
itself  into  the  body  of  the  tree. 

In  those  parts  of  France,  Belgium  and  Germany,  where  the  Walnut  is 
not  cultivated  for  commerce,  the  trees  have  generally  sprung  from  the 
seed,  which  is  the  cause  of  the  inferiority  of  their  fruit.  For  it  is  observed 
that,  with  a  few  accidental  exceptions,  the  finest  fruits  and  flowers  degen- 
erate in  reproduction.  This  inconvenience  would  be  experienced  in  the 
United  States,  and  as  there  do  not  perhaps  exist  in  that  country,  south  of 
the  Hudson  river,  ten  European  Walnut  trees,*  I  should  recommend  the 
importation  from  Bordeaux  of  young  grafted  trees,  which  will  soon  furnish 
the  means  to  such  proprietors  as  wish  to  enrich  their  estates  with  this  useful 
and  magnificent  tree. 

PLA  TE  XXIX. 

Fi^.  1.  Jl  leaf  of  half  the  nntural  size,  Fla;,  2.  Parrvn  Ffnivcrs.  Fig.  3, 
Fertile  flowers.  Fig.  4.  Jl  nut  in  its  husk  of  the  natural  size.  Fig.  5,  »'2 
nut  without  its  husk.  Fig.  0.  d  nut  drprivcd  of  half  the  shell  to  show  the 
kernel. 


*  [Since  tills  was  written,  flic  European  Walnut  lias  Iiccn  extcn-iivcly  inlroduccd  in  America, 
l)ut  as  far  iiorlii  as  Pliilaclclpliia  it  docs  not  |)roduco  fruit  abundantly,  except  in  sheltered  situa- 
tions, or  when  surrounded  by  hard  surface  ground.] 


I| 


9 


r   r,'^'   ] 


BLACK  WALNUT. 


JiioLANs  MORA.  J.foHoHs  quindmiH,  stihcnrddtis,  superue  angrislalis,  serralis  ; 
fntdu  glohoso,jmnctato,  scahriusculo  ;  nucicorriignla. 

Tins  Irce  is  known  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  where  it  grows, 
and  to  tlie  French  of  Upper  and  Lower  Louisiana,  hy  no  other  name  than 
Black  Walnut.  East  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  the  most  northern 
point  at  which  it  appears,  is  about  Goshen  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  in 
the  latitude  of  40°  50'*.  West  of  the  Mountains,  it  exists  abundantly  two 
degrees  further  north,  in  that  portion  of  Gencssee  which  is  comprised 
between  the  77th  and  79th  degrees  of  longitude.  This  observation,  as  I 
shall  have  occasion  to  remark,  is  applicable  to  several  other  vegetables 
the  northern  limit  of  whose  appearance  varies  with  the  climate,  and  this 
becomes  milder  in  advancino;  towards  the  west.  The  Black  Walnut  is 
mulliplicd  in  the  forests  about  Philadelphia,  and  with  the  exception  of  the 
lower  parts  of  the  Southern  Slates,  where  the  soil  is  too  sandy,  or  too  wet 
as  in  the  Swamps,  it  is  met  with  to  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  through- 
out an  extent  of  2000  miles.  East  of  the  Alleghany  mountains  in  Virginia, 
and  in  the  upper  part  of  the  Carolinas  and  of  Georgia,  it  is  chiefly  confined 
to  the  valleys  where  the  soil  is  deep  and  fertile,  and  which  are  watered 
by  creeks  and  rivers :  in  the  western  country,  in  Gencssee,  and  in  the 
States  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  where  the  soil  in  general  is  very  rich,  it 
grows  in  the  forests,  with  the  Coflee-tree,  Honey  Locust,  Red  Mulberry, 
Locust  Shellbark  Hickory,  Black  Sugar  Maple,  Hack  Berry,  and  Red  Elm  ; 
all  which  trees  prove  the  goodness  of  the  soil  in  which  they  are  found. 

It  is  in  these  countries  that  the  Black  Walnut  displays  its  full  proportions. 
On  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  on  the  islands  of  thatbeautiful  river,  I  have 
often  seen  trees  of  3  or  4  feet  in  diameter  and  60  or  70  feet  in  height.  It 
is  not  rare  to  find  them  of  the  thickness  of  6  or  7  feet.  Its  powerful  vegeta- 
tion clearly  points  out  this,  as  one  of  the  largest  trees  of  America.  When 
it  stands  insulated,  its  branches,  extending  themselves  horizontally  to  a 
great  distance,  spread  into  a  spacious  head,  which  gives  it  a  very  majestic 
appearance. 

The  leaves  of  the  Black  Walnut  when  bruised  emit  a  strong  aromatic 
odor.  They  are  about  18  inches  in  length,  pinnate,  and  composed  in  gen- 
eral of  6,  7  or  8  pair  of  leaflets  surmounted  by  an  odd  one.  The  leaflets 
are  opposite  and  fixed  on  short  petioles  ;  they  are  acuminate,  serrate,  and 
somewhat  downy.     The   barren  flowers  are  disposed  in  pendulous  and 


•  [It  is  found  in  Massaclinsctts.     Emkuson.J 


slalin,  serralis  ; 
nld. 

Iicre  it  grows, 
lier  name  than 
most  northern 
few  Jersey,  in 
bundantly  two 

is  comprised 
ervation,  as  I 
er  vegetables 
latc,  and  this 
cii  Walnut  is 
;eption  of  the 
Jy,  or  too  wet 
ippi,  through- 
is  in  Virginia, 
liefly  confined 

are  watered 
e,  and  in  the 
3  very  rich,  it 
ed  Mulberry, 
nd  Red  Elm ; 
are  found. 
11  proportions. 

river,  I  have 
in  height.  It 
verful  vegeta- 
srica.  When 
izontally  to  a 
very  majestic 

ong  iiromatic 

posed  in  gen- 

The  leaflets 

serrate,  and 

:ndulous  and 


i 


V 


/■,,,.     .'w,^.    ■ 


l')l;uk  Walnut 
<hii//{r//,^  /Id/; if . 


I  Mi 


ULA  CK     W  A  l,N  I    1'. 


& 


cyliniliica!  .nnonts,  of  which  the  ptMliinclc-i  arc  siinplc,  \mHko  those  of  the 
Ilii'koiios,  (PI.  HO,  Up;.  1.)  The  fruit  is  lound,  odoiifcmus,  of  rntln'r  an  un- 
even surface, and  always appiars at  the  extrcinit)  of  tho  hranolics  :  on  younc; 
nnd  vi<j;oiou.s  trees,  it  is  souietinies  7  or  H  inches  in  circiindiMeiiff.  The 
husk  is  thick,  and  is  not  as  in  tho  Hickories  dividi'd  into  sections  ;  but 
when  ripe  it  softens  and  ^[lailiially  decays.  The  nut  is  hard,  sonn  nhat 
compressed  at  the  sides,  and  .sulcated.  The  kernel,  which  is  divided  liy 
firm  hjj;neous  partitions,  is  of  a  sweet  and  aLjreeable  taste,  tliouj^h  iid'erior 
to  tliat  of  the  European  VV'idnut.  Tliese  nuts  are  sold  in  the  niiukets  of 
New  York,  Philadiipliia,  and  Maltiiimre,  and  served  upon  tiie  tables.  Tin* 
size  of  tho  fruit  varies  considerably,  and  dr-pcnds  u[)on  the  viijorof  tlin 
tree,  and  upon  the  nature  of  the  soil  and  of  tlii3  climate.  On  the  hanks  of 
the  Ohio,  and  in  Kentucky,  the  fruit  with  the  husk  is  7  or  S  inches  in 
compass,  with  tin-  nut  propoilionally  lar;j;o;  in  (ienessee,  on  the  contrary, 
where  the  cold  is  intense,  and  in  iields  exhausted  i)y  cullivalion,  where 
these  trees  have  been  preserved  since  the  fust  clearintf  of  the  land,  it  is  not 
of  more  than  half  this  volume.  Some  variations  are  observed  in  the  form 
of  the  fruit,  and  in  the  niouldine;  of  the  shell  ;  but  these  I  consider  as 
merely  accidental  diircrences.  Indeed,  there  is  no  <^enus  of  trees  in  Ame- 
rica, in  which  tlie  fruit  of  a  given  species  exhibits  such  vaiious  forms,  as 
in  the  Walnut ;  and  douhtlessthis  circum.stance  has  misled  observers,  who, 
being  acquainted  oidy  with  the  small  nuin!)er  of  trees  existing  in  European 
gardens,  have  described  them  as  distinct  species. 

The  bark  of  the  Black  Walnut  is  thick,  blackish,  and  on  old  trees  deeply 
furrowed.  When  the  timber  is  freshly  cut,  the  sap  is  white  and  the  heart 
of  a  violet  color,  which  aiier  a  short  exposure  to  the  air  assumes  an  inten- 
ser  shade,  and  becomes  nearly  black  :  lience  probaljly  is  derived  the  name 
of  lilack  Walnut.  There  are  several  cpialitics  for  which  its  wood  is  princi- 
pally esteemed  ;  it  remains  sound  during  a  long  time,  even  wlien  exposed 
to  the  influences  of  heat  and  moisture  :  but  this  observation  is  applicable 
only  to  the  heart,  the  sap  speedily  decays  :  it  is  very  strong  and  very  tena- 
cious :  when  thoroughly  seasoned  it  is  not  liable  to  warp  and  split ;  and  its 
grain  is  sufTiciently  fine  and  compact  to  admit  of  a  beautiful  polish.  It 
possesses  in  addition  to  these  advantages,  that  of  beuigsecure  from  worms. 
On  account  of  these  excellencies,  it  is  preferred  and  successfully  employed 
in  many  kinds  of  work.  East  of  the  Alleghanies,  its  timber  is  not  exten- 
sively used  in  building  houses,  but  in  some  parts  of  Kentucky  and  Ohio, 
it  is  split  into  shingles  18  inches  long  and  from  4  to  C  inches  wide,  which 
serve  to  cover  them  :  sometimes  also  this  timber  enters  into  the  composition 
of  the  frame.  But  it  is  chiefly  in  cabinet  making  that  the  Black  Walnut 
is  employed  wherever  it  abounds.  By  selecting  pieces  from  the  upper  part 
of  the  trunk,  immediately  below  the  first  ramification,  furniture  is  some- 
tim.'S  made,  which  from  the  accidental  curlingsof  the  grain  is  higljy  beau- 


68 


B  L  A  C  K    W  A  L  N  U  Y. 


tiful ;  but  ,ns  its  color  soon  clianpics  to  a  dusky  hue,  the  Wild  Clicny  wood 
is  frequently  prclerrcd  for  this  use.  'J'lie  Black  Walnut  is  also  employed 
for  musket  stocks  ;  it  is  stronger  and  fon<;licrtlian  the  Red-lloweiiui^-  Maple, 
which,  from  its  superior  lif,ditiicss  and  elegance,  is  chosen  lor  fowling 
pieces.  In  Virginia,  posts  are  very  commoidy  made  of  Black  Walnut,  and 
as  it  lasts  undecayed  in  the  ground  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  years,  it 
appears  every  way  fit  for  this  purpose.  I  have  been  assured  that  it  makes 
excellent  naves  for  wheels,  which  further  ])roves  its  strength  and  durability. 
At  Philadelphia,  coflins  are  very  frecjuontiy  made  of  it. 

The  timber  of  this  tree  is  also  excellently  adapted  to  certain  uses  in 
Naval  Architecture.  It  should  never  be  wrought  till  it  is  perfectly  seas- 
oned, after  which  it  is  asserted  to  be  more  durable,  though  more  brittle, 
than  the  White  Oak.  Breckel,  in  his  Ilistoiy  of  North  Carolina,  affirms 
that  it  is  not  liable,  like  the  Oak,  to  be  attacked  by  sea-worms  in  warm 
latitudes.  This  advantage,  if  it  is  real,  is  highly  important,  and  deserves 
to  be  ascertained  by  further  observation.  In  the  marine  lumber  yards  of 
Philadelj)hia,  I  have  often  seen  it  used  for  knees  and  iloor  timber;  but  in 
the  vessels  built  at  Wheeling  and  Marietta,  towns  on  the  Ohio,  it  consti- 
tutes a  principal  part  of  the  frame.  On  the  river  Wabash,  canoes  are  made 
of  it  which  are  greatly  esteemed  for  strength  and  durability.  Some  of 
them  fashioned  from  the  trunk  of  a  single  tree,  are  more  than  40  feet  long, 
and  2  or  3  feet  wide. 

The  Black  Walnut  is  exported  in  small  quantities  to  England  in  planks 
of  2  inches  in  thickness :  which  are  sold  at  Philadelphia  at  four  cents  a 
foot.* 

The  husk  of  the  fruit  yields  a  color  similar  to  that  which  is  obtained 
from  the  European  W^alnut.  It  is  used  in  the  country  for  dying  woolen 
stuffs. 

This  tree  has  long  since  been  introduced,  in  England  and  France,  into 
the  gardens  of  the  lovers  of  foreign  culture.  It  succeeds  perfectly  and 
yields  fruit  abundantly.  Though  differing  widely  from  the  European 
species,  it  bears  a  nearer  resemblance  to  it  than  any  other  American  Wal- 
nut. By  comparing  the  two  species  as  to  their  utility  in  the  arts  and  in 
commerce,  it  will  appear  that  the  wood  of  the  Black  Walnut  is  more  com- 
pact, heavier  and  much  stronger  ;  that  it  is  susceptible  of  a  finer  polish, 
and  that  it  is  not  injured  by  worms  ;  qualities  which,  as  has  been  seen, 
render  it  fit  not  only  for  the  same  uses  with  ours,  but  also  for  the  larger 
works  of  architecture.  These  considerations  sufficiently  evince  that  it  is 
a  valuable  tree,  and  that  it  is  with  great  reason,  that  many  proprietors  in 


•  [The  flemnnd  fi>r  Walnut  wnod  in  llie  Atlantic  cilics,  and  tlin  want  of  attention  to  its  culti- 
vation, have  since  made  it  nccossnry  (iir  the  cahinct  makers,  &c.,  to  import  from  the  west  llie 
greater  portion  of  tlieir  supplies.  'I'liis  resource  must  fail  in  time,  and  the  v/ood  may  not  impro- 
bably become  nearly  as  costly  as  Mahogany,  which  it  rcscmblca  in  many  of  its  properties.] 


ild  Cliciry  wood 
is  also  eii) ployed 
flowering  Maple, 
sen  for  fowling 
iick  Walnut,  and 
rity-five  years,  it 
ed  that  it  makes 
hand  durability. 

certain  uses  in 
s  perfectly  seas- 
;^h  more  brittle, 
Carolina,  aflirms 
Yoi'ms  in  warm 
t,  and  deserves 
umber  yards  of 
timber ;  but  in 
Ohio,  it  const  i- 
anoes  are  made 
ility.  Some  of 
m  40  feet  loiii^^ 

^land  in  planks 
at  four  cents  a 

ch   is  obtained 
dying  woolen 

d  France,  into 
s  perfectly  and 
the  European 
mierican  Wal- 
the  arts  and  in 
t  is  more  com- 
a  finer  polish, 
las  been  seen, 
for  the  larorer 
'ince  that  it  is 
'  proprietors  in 


tention  to  its  culti- 
from  the  west  the 
3(1  may  not  impro- 
3  properties.] 


l;i 


'/ 


I 


I'JIM.'ii/oM 


niiUor  Xut. 


8rna.-:',<\ 


Ajiari/tfc 


I 


i   I 


ly 


HliTTKUNUT. 


(i<) 


America  have  spared  it,  in  clearing  their  new  hinds.  On  liigli  roads,  I  am 
of  opiiiinn  that  it  minht  be  clioscn  to  succeed  the  Khn  ;  for  experience  lias 
proved,  that  to  insure  success  in  Uie  continued  cuitivalion  of  tiees  or  herba- 
ceous plants  on  the  same  soil,  the  practice  must  be  varied  with  species  of 
dillerent  genera. 

Nuts  of  the  European  Walnut  and  of  the  lllack  Walnut  have  been 
planted  at  the  same  time  in  the  same  soil :  those  of  the  J'daek  Walnut  are 
observed  to  shoot  more  vii^orously,  and  to  grow  in  a  given  time  to  a  greater 
height.  By  grafting  the  European  upon  the  American  sjjecies  at  the  height 
of  8  or  ten  feet,  their  advantages,  with  respect  to  the  (piality  both  of  wood 
and  of  fruit,  might  be  united. 

PLATE  XXX. 

^^  leaf  of  half  il.i  nulural  slzr.     Juf^.  I,  //  uuf  rrlth  Us  husk.     Fr.;.  2,  A 
nut  irilhoul  lis  hiisl,-.     /uix.  U,  .7  Imrrcu  ainnil. 


BUTTEllNUT. 


'<  "■ 


JucLANscATHARTicA.  J.folioHs  suhquhidcnh ,  luiiccolalis,  bast  rot i()uIuto-o(i- 
ttisis  sublh-s  toinnilosis,  Icvitcr  scrrulis :  fniclu  ohfotigo,  ovato,  apice.  mam- 
711080,  visciilo,  huge'  pvdunciilulo,  mice  oblonga,  acmniiuUa,  insignilcr 
insculjilti-scabrosd. 

This  species  of  Walnut  is  known  in  North  America,  under  different  de- 
nominations. In  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  it  bears 
the  name  of  Oil- nut:  in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  and  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio,  it  is  generally  known  by  that  of  White  Walnut ;  in  Connecticut, 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Virginia,  and  in  the  mountainous  districts  of  the 
upper  parts  of  the  Carolinas,  it  is  called  Butternut.  The  last  of  these  names 
I  have  retained,  because  it  is  not  wholly  unknown  in  those  parts  of  the 
United  States  where  the  others  are  in  general  use,  and  because  the  wood  is 
employed  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  York  for  a  greater  variety  of  uses 
than  elsewhere.  I  think  also  that  the  latin  specific  name  Calhartica,  which 
Avas  long  since  given  it  by  Doctor  Cutler  of  Massachusetts,  should  be  dc- 


'< 


70 


HUTTEKN  ri'. 


liiiitivoly  substituted  lor  that  of  Cincrea,  by  wliiuh  it  lias  hitherto  been 
(listingiiislicd  among  botanists.  This  last  appellation,  derived  from  the 
color  of  the  secondary  branches,  whose  bark  is  smooth  and  grayish,  suggests 
only  an  unimportant  chatacteristic,  while  the  first  expresses  one  of  the  most 
interesting  properties  of  'he  tree. 

The  Butternut  is  found  in  Upper  and  Lower  Canada,  in  the  District  of 
Maine,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie,  in  the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennes- 
see, and  on  the  baidvs  of  the  Missouri;  but  I  have  never  met  with  it  in  the 
lower  parts  of  the  Carolinas,  of  Georgia,  and  of  East  Forida.  where  the 
nature  of  the  soil  and  the  intemperate  heat  of  the  summer,  are  unfavora- 
ble to  its  vegetation.  In  cold  regions,  on  the  contrary,  its  growth  is  luxu- 
riant, for  in  the  State  of  Vermont,*  where  the  winter  is  so  rigorous  that 
sledges  are  used  during  four  months  iu  the  year,  this  tree  attains  a  circum- 
ference of  8  or  10  feet.  I  have  nowhere  seen  it  more  abundant,  than  in 
the  bottoms  which  border  the  Ohio  between  Wheeling  and  Marietta :  but 
the  thickness  of  these  forests  which  are  hardly  penetrated  by  the  sun,  ap- 
pears to  prevent  its  utmost  expansion.  I  have  seen  here  no  trees  as  large 
as  some  in  New  Jersey,  on  the  steep  and  elevated  banks  of  the  Hudson, 
nearly  opposite  to  the  city  of  New  York.  The  woods  in  this  place  are  thin, 
and  the  soil  cold,  unproductive,  and  interspersed  with  large  rocks,  in  the 
interstices  of  which  the  biggest  J5utternuts  have  their  root.  I  have  measured 
some  of  them,  which,  at  5  feet  from  the  ground,  were  10  or  12  feet  in  cir- 
cumference, and  which  were  50  feet  in  height,  with  roots  extending  even 
with  the  surlace  of  the  ground,  in  a  serpentine  direction,  and  with  little 
variation  in  size,  to  the  distance  of  40  feet.  The  trunk  ramifies  at  a 
small  height,  and  the  branches,  seeking  a  direction  more  horizontal  than 
those  of  other  trees  and  spreading  widely,  form  a  largo  and  tufted  head, 
which  gives  the  tree  a  remarkable  appearance. 

The  buds  of  the  Butternut,  like  those  of  the  Black  Walnut,  are  uncov- 
ered. In  the  spring  its  vegetation  is  forward,  and  its  leaves  unfold  a  fort- 
night earlier  than  those  of  the  Hickories.  Each  leaf  is  composed  of  7  or 
8  pair  of  sessile  leaflets,  and  terminated  by  a  petiolated  odd  one.  The 
leaflets  are  from  2  to  3  inches  in  length,  lanceolate,  serrate,  and  slightly 
downy.  The  barren  flowers  stand  on  large  cylindrical  aments,  which  are 
single,  4  or  5  inches  long,  and  attached  to  the  shoots  of  the  preceding 
year  ;  the  fertile  flowers  on  the  contrary,  come  out  on  the  shoots  of  the 
same  spring,  and  are  situated  at  their  extremity.  The  ovarium  is  crowned 
by  two  rose  colored  stigmata.  The  fruit  is  commonly  single,  and  suspended 
by  a  thin,  pliable  peduncle,  about  3  inches  in  length  ;  its  form  is  oblong- 
oval,  without  any  appearance  of  seam.  It  is  often  2i  inches  in  length, 
and  5  inches  in  circumference,  and  is  covered  with  a  viscid  adhesive  sub- 

*  [  It  occurs  in  all  the  New  England  states.    Emkrson.] 


i 


BUTTERNUT. 


Tl 


hitlierto  been 
ved  from  the 
yish,  suggests 
le  of  the  most 

lie  District  of 

and  Tcnncs- 

with  it  in  the 

la,  where   the 

are  unfavora- 

rowth  is  luxu- 

rigorous  that 

ains  a  circuin- 

idant,  tiian   in 

Marietta:  but 

the  sun,  ap- 

trees  as  large 

f  the  Hudson, 

place  are  thin, 

;  rocks,  in  the 

lave  measured 

12  feet  in  cir- 

xtending  even 

md  with  little 

ramifies  at  a 

orizontal  than 

tufted  head, 

it,  are  uncov- 
I  unfold  a  fort- 
nosed  of  7  or 
Id  one.  The 
,  and  slightly 
jts,  which  are 
le  preceding 
fehoots  of  the 
is  crowned 
id  suspended 
Im  is  oblong- 
Is  in  length, 
Idhesive  sub- 


stance, composed  of  small  transparent  vesicles,  which  are  easily  discerned 
with  the  aid  of  a  glass.  The  nuts  are  hard,  oblong,  rounded  at  the  base, 
and  terminated  at  the  summit  in  an  acute  point  ;  the  surface  is  very  rough, 
and  deeply  and  irregularly  furrowed.  They  are  ripe,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  New  York,  about  the  loth  of  September,  a  fortnight  earlier  than  the 
other  species  of  Walnut.  Some  years  they  are  so  abundant,  that  one  per- 
son may  gather  several  i)ushi'ls  of  thcin  in  a  day.  The  kernel  is  thick  and 
oily,  and  soon  becomes  rancid  ;  hence,  doubtless,  arc  derived  the  names  of 
IJutternut  and  Oilnut.  These  nuts  are  rarely  seen  in  the  markets  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia.  The  Indians  who  inhabited  these  regions,  pounded 
and  boiled  them,  and  separating  the  oily  substance  which  swam  upon  the 
surface,  mixed  it  with  their  food.  When  the  fruit  has  attained  about  half 
its  growth,  it  is  sometimes  used  for  making  pickles,  being  fust  plunged  into 
boiling  water,  and  thoroughly  wiped,  to  clean  it  of  its  down,  and  afterwards 
preserved  in  vinegar. 

The  Black  Walnut  and  Butternut,  when  young,  resemble  each  other  in 
their  foliage,  and  in  the  rapidity  of  their  growth  ;  but  when  arrived  at 
maturity,  their  forms  are  so  different  as  to  be  distinguishable  at  first  sight. 
Remarkable  peculiarities  are  also  found,  on  examining  their  wood,  espe- 
cially when  seasoned  :  the  Black  Walnut  is  heavy,  strong,  and  of  a  dark 
brown  color  ;  while  the  Butternut  is  light,  of  little  strength,  and  of  a  reddish 
hue  :  but  they  possess  in  common,  the  great  advantage  of  lasting  long,  and 
of  being  secure  from  the  annoyance  of  worms.  From  its  want  of  solidity 
and  from  the  difiiculty  of  procuring  pieces  of  considerable  length.  Butter- 
nut timber  is  never  used  in  the  cities,  in  the  construction  of  houses,  though 
it  is  sometimes  employed  for  this  purpose  in  the  country.  In  some  Dis- 
tricts of  New  Jersey,  it  is  often  taken  for  the  sleepers  which  are  placed 
immediately  on  the  ground,  in  the  framing  of  houses  and  barns.  As  it  long 
resists  the  effects  of  heat  and  moisture,  it  is  esteemed  for  the  posts  and  rails 
of  rural  fence,  and  for  troughs  for  the  use  of  cattle.  For  corn  shovels  and 
wooden  dishes,  it  is  preferred  to  the  Red-flowering  Maple,  because  it  is 
lighfer  and  less  liable  to  split ;  consequently,  articles  made  of  it  are  sold  at 
a  higher  price.  Near  New  York,  I  have  observed  it  to  be  made  use  of  for 
canoes  formed  of  one  or  two  logs,  and  for  the  futtocks  designed  to  give 
them  solidity  ;  but  in  boats  of  considerable  size  some  stronger  wood  is 
selected  for  this  purpose.  At  Pittsburgh  on  the  Ohio,  the  Butternut  is 
sometimes  sawn  into  planks,  for  the  construction  of  small  skiffs,  which,  on 
account  of  their  lightness,  are  in  request  for  descending  the  river.  At 
Windsor  in  Vermont,  it  is  used  for  the  pannels  of  coaches  and  chaises  ;  the 
workmen  find  it  excellently  adapted  to  this  object,  not  only  from  its  light- 
ness, but  because  it  is  not  liable  to  split,  and  receives  paint  in  a  superior 
manner  ;  indeed  I  have  remarked  that  its  pores  are  more  open  than  those 
of  the  Poplar  and  Basswood. 


I         ! 


ii 


BUTTERNUT. 


The  inediciiuil  properties  of  IJuttermit  bark  have  loii^  since  been 
proved  by  several  eminent  physicians  of  tlie  United  States,  and  amon<^ 
others,  hy  J)octor  CntUir'.  An  extract  in  water,  or  even  a  decoction 
sweetened  witli  lioney,  is  acknowk'dged  to  be  one  of  the  best  catliar- 
tics  afforded  by  tlie  materia  medica  ;  its  purgative  operation  is  always 
sure,  and  unattended,  in  the  most  delicate  constitutions,  with  pain 
or  irritation.  Experience  lias  shown  that  it  produces  the  best  effects 
in  many  cases  of  dysentery.  It  is  commonly  f>iven  in  the  form  of 
pills,  and  to  adults,  in  doses  from  half  a  scruple  to  a  scruple.  It  is  not, 
however,  in  general  use,  except  in  the  country,  where  many  of  the  farmers' 
wives  provide  a  small  store  of  it  in  the  spiing,  for  the  wants  of  their  families 
and  of  their  neighbors.  They  obtain  it  by  boiling  the  bark  entire  in  water, 
till  the  liquid  is  reduced  by  evaporation,  to  a  thick  viscid  substance,  which 
is  almost  black.  This  is  a  faulty  process  ;  the  exterior  bark,  or  the  dead 
part  which  covers  the  cellular  integument,  should  first  be  taken  off,  for,  by 
continued  boiling,  it  becomes  charged  with  four  fifths  of  the  liquid,  already 
enriched  with  extractive  matter.  I  have  also  seen  this  bark  successfully 
employed  as  a  revulsive,  in  inflammatory  opthalmias  and  in  the  toothache  : 
a  piece  of  it  soaked  in  warm  water,  is  applied  in  these  cases  to  the  back  of 
the  neck.  In  the  country,  it  is  sometimes  employed  lor  dying  wool  of  a 
dark  brown  color  ;  but  the  bark  of  the  Black  Walnut  is  preferable  for  this 
purpose. 

On  a  live  tree,  the  cellular  tissue,  when  first  exposed,  is  of  a  pure 
white,  in  a  moment  it  changes  to  a  beautiful  lemon  color,  and  soon  after  to 
a  deep  brown. 

If  the  trunk  of  the  Butternut  is  pierced  in  the  month  which  precedes  the 
unfolding  of  the  leaves,  a  pretty  copious  discharge  ensues  of  a  slightly 
sugary  sap,  from  which,  by  evaporation,  sugar  is  obtained  of  a  quality  in- 
ferior to  that  of  the  Sugar  Maple. 

Although  the  Butternut,  as  has  been  seen,  possesses  useful  properties,  I 
do  not  think  it  sufficiently  valuable,  either  in  the  arts  or  for  fuel,  to  recom- 
mend its  introduction  into  the  forests  of  the  old  continent :  it  should  find 
place  only  in  our  pleasure  grounds. 


PLATE  XXXI. 


A  leaf  of  half  its  natural  size.     Fig.  1,  A  nut  with  its  husk. 

without  its  husk. 


Fig.  2,  A  nut 


»  [Previously,  by  Dr.  Rusli,  in  tlic  war  of  tlic  Revolution ;  the  officinal  extract  is  the  only  one 
now  used  by  practitioners,] 


r  since  bcon 
s,  and  amonf; 
1  a  (It'coction 
;  best  catliar- 
ion  is  always 
s,  with  pain 
e  best  effects 
the  form  of 
le.  It  is  not, 
)f  the  fanners' 
-  their  families 
ritire  in  water, 
stance,  which 
;,  or  the  dead 
en  off,  for,  by 
iquid,  already 
:  successfully 
be  toothache  : 
to  the  back  of 
ng  wool  of  a 
L'rable  for  this 

is  of  a  pure 
1  soon  after  to 

1  precedes  the 
of  a  slightly 
a  quality  in- 

1  properties,  I 
lel,  to  recom- 
t  should  find 


Fig.  2,  Jl  nut 


It  is  the  only  one 


II  ?; 


V. 


■  ,',;  ./,.„.■.■/',„.,■' 


l\uiiii(MMi(  IIh  korv 

.  ^IN//tlllX  o//t>(t'-/(>rtKUf. 


/'/..>'. 


/■""■■//.:,, 


I  \ 


) 


i. 


C   r.i   J 


PKCANNUT   IIICKOIIY. 


JvuLANH    oi.iv.T.fORMis.     .hj,.r"lis  iifiiiiiiiii,  suliirHti/olii,  fiilrrifi.i,  xrrratis ! 
finflu  oblougn,  iirotni)ui/o-ijuit(lniii}{itlo ;  niicr  oliviij'onni,  livi, 

Cbrya  olivooforniii.    NvtT' 

Tins  spooies,  wliicli  is  fmiiul  in  upper  TiOiiisiann,  is  rallod  by  tlm  Frcnrh 
of  Illinois  and  N't'W  Orleans,  Piuutnicr,  nml  ils  (Vuit  PacancH.  Tliis  iianii! 
lias  [)ecii  aiiopted  Ijy  tlio  inhabitants  of  the  United  Slates,  who  call  it  Pe- 
canniit.  On  tho  hordeis  of  the  rive-s  Missouri,  Illinois,  St.  frnneis,  and 
Arkansas,  it  is  most  abundantly  niultipliod  :  it  is  also  common  on  the  river 
Wabash  ;  on  the  Ohio,  it  is  found  for  •!()()  miles  fiom  ils  junclion  with  the 
Mississippi  :  bin;ber  tlian  this,  it  becomes  more  rare,  and  is  not  seen  beyond 
Louisville.  My  father,  in  traversing  this  country,  learned  from  the  French 
inhabitants,  who  ascend  tin;  Mississippi  in  (piest  of  furs,  that  it  is  not  found 
on  that  river,  beyoiul  the  mouth  of  the  (Jreat  Mackakity,  which  discharges 
itself  in  the  latitude  of  ir  51'.* 

This  tree  grows  most  naturally  in  cold  and  wet  grounds.  There  is  a 
swainj)  of  800  acres,  situated  on  the  right  baid<  of  the  Oliio,  opposite  to  the 
river  Cumi)erlaiid,  which  is  said  to  be  entirely  covered  with  it,  and  which 
is  called  by  the  J''ieneh,  hi  jincariicrr. 

The  I'ecannut  is  a  beautiful  tree,  with  a  straight  and  well-shaped  trunk  ; 
in  the  forests,  it  reaches  the  heinht  of  fit)  or  70  feet.  Its  wood  is  coarse- 
pndned,  and  like  the  other  Hickories,  heavv  and  coiupaet :  it  possesses 
also  great  strength  and  durability  ;  but  in  these  respects,  it  is  inferior  to 
some  species  liereaftor  to  be  described.  Its  buds,  like  those  of  the 
151aek  Walnut,  and  Hutternut  are  uncovered.  The  leaves  are  from  12  to 
IS  inches  in  length,  and  are  supported  by  petioles  somewhat  angular,  and 
slightly  downy  in  the  spring.  Each  leaf  is  composed  of  G  or  7  pair  of 
sessile  leallets,  and  terminated  by  a  petiolaled  odd  one,  which  is  commonly 
smaller  than  the  pair  immediately  preceding.  The  leallets,  on  nourishing 
trees,  are  from  2  to  3  inches  long,  ovate,  serrate,  and  remarkable  for  the 
circidar  form  of  the  upper  edge,  while  the  lower  one  is  less  rounded.  It 
is  also  to  be  noticed,  that  the  main  rib  is  ])laced  a  little  below  the  middle 
of  the  leallet. 

The  nuts,  which  are  usually  abundant,  are  contained  in  a  husk  from  one 
to  two  lines  thick,  and  have  four  slightly  prominent  angles,  corresponding 

*  [It  boars  fruit  in  gardena  near  Philailuli>liia,  but  can  scarctly  be  said  to  [lurfect  il.] 

10 


74 


BITTKllNMri'    HICKORY. 


to  their  internal  divisions'.  They  vary  in  length  i'roni  an  inch  to  an  inch 
and  a  half,  are  pointed  at  the  extrcmilies,  of  a  cylindrical  Ibrm,  and  of  a 
yellowish  color,  marked,  at  the  period  of  perfect  maturity,  with  blackish 
or  purple  lines.  The  shell  is  smooth  and  thin,  thou;j;h  too  hard  to  he  broken 
by  the  fingers:  the  kernel  is  full,  and  not  being  divided  by  ligneous  parti- 
tions, is  easily  extracted.  'I'liese  nuts,  which  are  of  a  very  ngreeabh;  taste, 
form  an  oliject  of  petty  commrrce,  iietween  Upper  and  Lower  Louisiana. 
From  Nev,-  Orleans,  they  arc  exported  to  tlie  West  Indies,  and  to  the  ports 
of  the  United  States.  They  arc  not  only  better  than  any  other  species  of 
North  American  walnuts,  but  they  appear  to  me  to  be  more  delicately 
flavoured  than  those  of  Europe.  And  besides,  wild  varieties  of  the  Pecannut 
are  found,  the  fruit  of  which  is  much  larger  than  that  of  the  European  Walnut 
unimproved  by  culture,  I  am  of  opinion  then,  that  this  tree  merits  the 
attention  boih  of  Americans  and  Europeans,  and  that  by  assiduous  culti- 
vation it  may  be  brought  to  a  high  degree  of  perfection.  These  advantages, 
it  is  true,  are  balanced  in  part  by  the  slowness  of  its  growth ;  there  are 
trees  in  France  which  have  been  planted  more  than  thirty  years,  and  which 
do  not  yield  fruit. 

If  the  practice  should  be  successfully  adopted,  of  grafting  the  Pecannut 
on  the  Black  Walnut,  or  on  the  Common  Walnut,  its  vegetation  would  be 
incomparably  more  rapid,  and  no  motive  would  discourage  its  propagation 
in  Europe. 

PLATE  XXXII. 

%9  leaf  of  half  its  iialitnil  size.  Fig.  1,  ^  nut  ivith  its  Jatsk.  Fig.  2,  A 
nut  wilhottt  its  hus/c 


1': 

t:     .1 


BITTERNUT   HICKOKY. 


JuGLANs  AMARA.  J.  ovbor  maxima,  foUoUs  1 — 9"'%  glabris,  conspicuc'  serralis, 
imparl  brcviter  pctiolato  :  fnictit  suhrotundo-ovoideo,  siiperne  sultiris  prom- 
inulis  ;  nuce  Icvi,  subglobosd,  mitcronatd  :  piitaminefragili,  nttcleo  amaro. 


Ciirya  Amara.    Nutt. 

Tins  species  is  generally  known  in  New  Jersey  by  the  name  of  Bilternut 
Hickory  ;  in  Pennsylvania,  and  particularly  in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  it  is 
called  White  Hickory  and  sometimes  Swamp  Hickory ;  further  south,  it  is 


>m  an  inch  (o  an  incli 
iKiriciil  ibrm,  and  of  a 
"tiuity,  wilh  blackish 
'  too  liaid  to  he  bi-okon 
(led  by  ligneous  parti- 
i  very  a!:,n-ceahle  tasfe, 
•nl  Lower  Loul.siana! 
tlics,  and  (o  (he  ports 
^''^y  other  species  of 
>  be  more  delicately 
■it'tiesofthePecannn't 
the  European  Walnut 
this  tree  merits  the 
t  by  assiduous   culti- 
These  advantages, 
5  giowth;  there  are 
iity  years,  and  which 

•afting  the  Pecannut 
t^egetation  would  be 
'■figc  its  propagation 


,^1 


conspicufi  semtlis, 
criw  sttturis  prom- 
'/,  7iuc/co  amuro. 

rya  Amara.    Nuti. 


>amo  ofBitternut 
af  Lancaster,  it  is 
irther  south,  it  is 


i;p 


i 


I'  K.. /..„.'.■  /./■■ 


riilliT  Niii    lln  Ixorv 

,  ^//if/r///,^    (II I  III  I  (/  . 


I 


1]  I  T  T  H  II  N  U  r    IT  I  C;  K  O  11  Y. 


ij 


confounded  willi  tlie  Pignut  Hickory  ;  tlic  Ficiich  of  Illinois,  like  tlie 
inlinbitnnts  of  New  Jersey,  <>ive  it  llie  name  ol'  Ditternut,  wliieli,  'is  it  indi- 
Ciih'S  one  of  tlie  peculiar  jiroprrlii'S  of  llie  fruit,  I  liine  eliosen  to  relain. 

The  Bitternut  Hickory,  I  believe,  is  nowhere  found  much  beyond  the 
boundaries  of  Vermont,  in  the  45lh  degree  of  latitude.  It  is  not  seen  in 
the  Province  of  Maine,  where  the  borders  of  the  rivers  olFer  situations  anal- 
ogous to  those  in  which  it  abounds,  a  few  deiirces  further  south.  In  l>er- 
gen  woods,  six  miles  from  New  York,  and  in  the  bottoms  which  stretch 
along  the  Ohio,  it  grows  to  a  very  loi'ty  stature  ;  I  have  measured  trees 
wliicii  were  10  or  12  feet  in  circumference,  and  70  or  80  feet  high.  It 
attains  these  dimensions  only  in  sj)ots  where  the  soil  is  excellent,  constantly 
coo],  and  often  inundated  by  creeks  and  rivers.  It  is  i)robal)ly  because  it 
thrives  most  in  such  situations,  that  it  is  sometimes  called  Swamp  Hickory. 
Of  all  the  Hickories,  the  vegetation  of  this  species  is  the  latest ;  I  have 
uniformly  observed,  that  its  leaves  unfold  a  fortnight  after  the  others.  On 
ilourishing  trees  at  an  age  to  bear  fruit,  they  are  12  or  If)  inches  in  length 
and  nearly  as  much  in  breadth;  the  size,  as  in  other  vegetables,  varies 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil,  and  the  situation  of  the  leaf  upon  a 
lower  or  upon  an  upper  branch.  Each  leaf  is  composed  of  3  or  4  pair  of 
leaflets,  and  terminated  by  an  odd  one,  which  is  larger  than  the  preceding 
pair.  The  leaflets  are  about  G  inches  in  length,  and  an  inch  in  breadth, 
sessile,  oval-acuminate,  deeply  toothed,  smooth,  and  of  a  dusky  green. 
When  the  tree  has  shed  its  leaves,  it  may  be  distinguished  by  its  yellow 
and  naked  buds. 

In  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  the  Bitternut  Hickory  blossoms  aljout 
the  25th  of  May.  The  peduncles  of  the  male  flowers  are  in  pairs,  each 
supporting  three  flexible  and  pendulous  aments  :  they  are  attached  at  the 
basis  of  liie  shoots  of  the  same  season,  while  the  female  aments,  which  are 
not  conspicuous,  are  placed  at  the  extremity. 

The  fruit  is  ripe  about  the  beginning  of  October  ;  it  is  so  plentiful  that 
several  bushels  are  sometimes  gathered  from  a  single  tree.  The  husk  is 
thin,  fleshy,  and  surmounted  on  its  upper  half  by  four  wing-like  appen- 
dages. It  never  becomes  ligneous,  like  those  of  the  other  Hickories,  but 
softens  and  decays.  The  form  of  the  nut  in  this  species  is  more  constant 
and  more  regular  than  in  the  others.  It  is  broader  than  it  is  long,  being 
6  or  7  lines  one  way  and  10  lines  the  other.  The  shell  is  white,  smooth, 
and  thin  enough  to  be  broken  by  the  fingers.  The  kernel  is  remarkable 
for  the  deep  inequalities  prodiiced  on  every  side  by  its  foldings.  It  is  so 
harsh  and  bitter,  that  squirrels  and  other  animals  will  not  feed  on  it,  while 
any  other  nut  is  to  be  found. 

In  some  parts  of  Pennsylvania  where  this  tree  is  multiplied,  an  oil  is 
extracted  from  the  nuts,  which  is  used  for  burning  in  lamps  and  other  infe- 
rior purposes.     But  from  these  experiments,  in  which  individuals  have 


1 


76 


WATER    BITTERN  UT    HICKORY. 


succeedfd,  it  is  not  to  be  concluded  that  a  siifTicicnt  product  of  this  sort  can 
bo  obtained  to  form  a  braiicii  of  iiidustiy  ;  neither  this,  nor  any  other  spe- 
cies of  Walnut,  is  abundant  enough  in  tlie  United  States. 

In  tlie  texture  of  iis  l)ark,  and  in  the  color  of  its  heart  and  sap,  the  Bit- 
ternut  Hickory  resembles  the  other  Hickories,  and  its  wood  possesses, 
though  in  an  iiderior  degree,  the  weight,  strength,  tenacity  and  elasticity 
which  so  plainly  distinguish  them.  At  Lancaster,  it  is  used  for  fuel,  but  it 
is  not  considered  superior  to  the  White  Oak,  nor  sold  at  a  higher  price. 

The  Bitternut  Hickory  exists  and  bears   fruit  in   several  gardens  in 
France  ;  but  it  is  of  no  value  lor  its  nuts,  and  llourishes  only  in  very  fertile 
soils ;  as  its  wood,  also,  is  proved  in  America  to  be  inferior  to  that  of  the 
following  species,  I  thiidi  it  should  not  be  propagated  in  the  forests  of 
Europe. 

PLATE  XXXIII. 


H 


Ji  leaf  of  Ihr  natural  size. 


Fig.  1,  Jl  nut  with  its  husk.     Fig.  2,  .-?  nut 
without  ils  huslc. 


WATER  lUTTEllNUT  HICKORY. 

JuoLANS  AQUATicA,  J.  foUolis  9 — 11"'%  lanceolato-acuminotis,  stihserrulis, 
sessilibus,  imparl  breviter  pctiolato :  fructibus pedunculatis,  nucc  subdipressd, 
parvd,  rubiginosd,  tencrd. 


Cirya  Aquatica,  Nutt. 

No  specific  name  has  hitherto  been  given  this  species,  which  is  confined 
to  the  Southern  States  ;  it  is  confounded  with  the  Pignut  Hickory,  though 
(iilfering  from  it  in  many  respects.  The  name  which  I  propose,  appears 
Jiufhciently  appropriate,  for  I  have  always  found  this  tree  in  swamps,  and 
ditches  which  surround  the  rice  fields,  where  it  is  accompanied  by  the  Red 
flowering  Maple,  Tupelo,  Cypress  and  Carolina  Poplar.  The  Water 
Bitte;  nut  Hickory  grows  to  the  height  of  40  jr  i>^  feet,  and  in  its  general 


RY. 

ct  of  this  sort  can 
)r  any  other  spc- 

and  sap,  the  Bit- 
wood  possesses, 
ity  and  elasticity 
ed  for  fuel,  but  it 
higher  price, 
'eral  gardens  in 
ily  in  very  fertile 
ior  to  that  of  the 
in  the  forests  of 


Fig.  2,  .^  nut 


RY. 

natis,   subserrittis, 
I,  nuce  subdepressd, 

rya  Aquatica,  Nutt. 

which  is  confined 
t  Hickory,  though 
propose,  appears 
>  in  swamps,  and 
panied  by  the  Red 
liar.  The  Water 
and  in  its  general 


/' .  > 


,/u 


'//' 


n,ffiiiui   fit/t/ii/t<a 


T 


* 


MockiM-   Nlll    IllcUiHV 
Jn(//(ifi,i-  /<>/Nr/i/<>,>if  . 


/I.:.:,m    ,!,■ 


/' 


n 

inrlif's 

M'>>ilL' 

',  I  <ir 

C(l  at 
iuk), 
;|)fct 

* 

k  it 
mm 
itet 


/h\fitm   I'i' 


i 


f. 


MOCKERNUT   HICKORY 


appcaranco,  resembles  (he  other  Hickories.  Its  leaves  are  8  or  9  inrlics 
loiii:;,  and  oi'  a  buaulil'ul  gieeii.  'lliey  are  coinposcil  of  1  or  5  i)air  ol' sessile 
leallets  suniioiinted  by  a  petiolated  odd  one.  The  leallels  are  serrate,  4  or 
5  inches  long,  8  or  'J  lines  broad,  and  very  similar  to  the  leaves  of  the 
Peach  tree. 

The  husk  is  thin,  and  the  nuts  are  small,  angular,  a  little  depressed  at 
the  sides,  somewhat  roui,d),  of  a  reddish  color,  and  very  tender.  The  ker- 
nel is  very  bitter,  Ibrmeil  in  tbids  like  that  of  the  liillernnt  Hickory,  and, 
as  may  be  supposed,  is  not  eatable,  'i'iie  wood  of  this  s[)ecies,  tliough 
partaking  of  the  common  properties  of  the  Hickories,  is  in  every  respect 
inferior  to  the  others,  from  the  nature  of  the  grounds  on  which  it  grows. 

Tiie  Water  Ijitlernnt  Hickory,  which  I  have  introduced  into  France, 
flourishes  unchecked  by  the  rigor  of  our  winters ;  but  I  do  not  think  it 
deserves  to  find  a  place  in  the  forests  of  Europe,  nor  to  be  spared  in  clear- 
ing the  new  lands  of  America.  The  southern  parts  of  the  United  States 
possess  many  sorts  of  timber  more  useful  in  building,  to  which  purpose  this, 
like  the  other  Hickories,  is  poorly  adapted. 

PLATE  XXXIV. 

%9  branch  with  leaves  of  the  natural  size..    Fig.  1,  Auts  with  their  husks. 
Fig.  2,  A"m/s  without  their  hushs. 


MOCKEilNUT   HICKORY. 


JuoLANs  TOMENTosA,  J.foliolis  7 — 9"'%  leviter  serrafis,  conspicue  villosis,  imparl 
subpetioluto  ;  amentis  eomj>osifis,  longissimis,  fiUformilnis,  exiniie  tomen- 
tosis  :  fructu  glot'oso  vcl  oblongo  ;  nucc  quailranguld,  crassd,  durissimdque. 

Ciirya  Tomcntosa,  Nutt. 

In  the  parts  of  New  Jersey  which  lie  on  the  river  Hudson,  and  in  the 
City  of  New  York  and  its  vicinity,  this  species  is  known  by  the  name  of 
Mockernut  Hickory,  and,  less  commonly,  of  White-heart  Hickory  ;  at  Phil- 
adelphia and  Baltimore,  and  in  Virginia,  that  of  Common  Hickory  is  the 
only  one  in  use.  The  French  of  Illinois  call  it  Noyer  dur,  or  Hard  Walnut. 


78 


MOCK  !■:  UN  IT    niC  K(»R  V. 


Tlie  first  of  tlioso  deiiniuinations,  wliich  is  dcsciiplive  of  tlie  fruit,  I  liavc 
for  lliat  reason  adopti'd. 

Tiiis  specie's  is  not,  as  tlic  iianic  wliifli  it  hrars  in  tliat  coiinliv  wo\i!d 
indicate,  more  ninltiplied  in  Pennsylvania,  and  further  soulli,  tlian  llic 
otlicr  Hickories.  I  have  not  seen  it  norlli  of  Portsnioutli  in  New  IFam])- 
sliirc,  tlioui^li  lot)  miles  sontli,  in  the  nei<i,hhorhood  of  ]]oston  and  Provi- 
dence, it  is  common.  It  is  most  abundant  in  the  forests  that  still  remain 
on  the  coast  of  the  middle  States,  and  in  tliose  which  cover  the  upper  parts 
of  the  Carolinas  and  of  Georp;ia  ;  hut  in  the  last  mentioned  States,  it  be- 
comes more  rare  in  npproachinii;  the  sea,  as  the  sleiilily  of  the  soil,  in 
general  dry  and  sandy,  is  unjjropitious  to  its  growth.  I  have  noticed, 
however,  that  this  is  the  only  Uickory  which  springs  in  the  Pine  Barrens: 


the  sprouts  arc  burnt  every  year,  and  never  rise  higher  than  3  or  4  feet.  I 
have  made  the  same  observation  in  traversing  the  big  Barrens  of  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee,  where  the  iMockernut  Hickory  and  Black  .lack  Oak  alone 
are  seen.  They  survive  the  contlagrations,  wiiich  almost  civery  spring 
envelop  tlie  jirairies,  but  their  vegetation  is  checked  by  the  fire,  and  they 
do  not  exceed  the  height  of  S  or  10  feet. 

Like  most  of  the  Walnuts,  the  Alockernut  Hickory  flourishes  in  rich 
soils,  and  chiefly  on  the  gentle  acclivities  which  surround  the  swamps, 
where  it  grows,  mingled  with  the  Sweet  Gum,  Poplar,  Sugar  Maple,  Bit- 
ternut  Hickory,  and  Black  Walnut.  In  tliese  situations  it  reaches  its 
greatest  size,  which  is  commonly  about  GO  feet  in  height,  and  18  or  20 
inches  in  diameter.  I  remeudjer  to  have  seen  larger  Mockernut  Hickories 
near  Lexington  in  Kentucky,  but  this  extiaordinary  growth  in  several 
species  of  trees  is  rarely  seen  on  this  side  of  the  Alleghany,  and  is  attribut- 
able to  tlie  extreme  fertility  of  the  soil,  in  the  Western  country.  Of  all  the 
Hickories,  however,  the  Mockernut  succeeds  best  on  lands  of  a  middling 
(piality  ;  for  it  forms  a  part  of  the  waste  and  impoverished  forests  which 
cover  the  meager  sandy  soil  of  Lower  Virginia,  though  under  these  disad- 
vantages it  exhibits  but  a  mean  and  stunted  appearance. 

The  buds  of  this  species  are  large,  short,  of  a  grayish  white,  and  very 
hard;  in  the  winter,  after  the  falling  of  the  leal],  they  allind  the  only 
characteristic  by  which  the  tree  can  be  distinguished,  when  it  exceeds  8 
or  10  feet  in  height.  Li  the  beginning  of  May,  the  buds  swell,  the  exter- 
nal scales  fall  off,  and  the  inner  ones  soon  after  buistand  display  the  young 
leaf.  The  leaves  grow  so  rapidly,  that  I  have  seen  them  gain  20  inches 
in  eighteen  days.  They  arc  coi.iposed  of  4  pair  of  sessile  leaflets,  and 
terminated  by  an  odd  one.  The  leaflets  are  large  oval-acuniinate,  slightly 
serrate,  odorous,  pretty  thick,  and  hairy  underneath,  a-j  is  also  the  cummou 
petiole  to  which  they  are  attached.  With  the  first  frost,  the  leaves  change 
to  a  beautiful  yellow,  and  fall  soon  after.  The  male  flowers  appear  on 
pendulous,  downy,  axillary  amcnts,  0  orS  inclies  long  ;  the  female  flowers 


le  fruit,  I  liave 

;  couiilry  would 
50ulli,  lliaii  tlic 
in  New  Hamp- 
stoii  and  Provi- 
liat  still  remain 
•  llie  upper  parts 
;d  States,  it  be- 
of  tlio  soil,  in 
'.  liave  noticed, 
e  Pine  liarrens : 
1  3  or  4  feet.  I 
ens  of  Kentucky 
Jack  Oak  alone 
st  every  sprins^ 
lie  fire,  and  they 

ourislies  in  rich 

lid  the  swamps, 

var  Maple,  IJit- 

is  it  reaches  its 

lit,  and  IS  or  20 

cernut  Hickories 

iwth  in  several 

and  is  attribut- 

try.     Of  all  the 

of  a  middlin^f 

forests  wlii('l> 

er  these  disad- 

hito,  and  very 
lord  the  only 
1  it  exceeds  S 
veil,  the  exter- 
play  the  young 
vain  20  inches 
e  leallets,  and 
liinate,  sliifhlly 
o  the  c'uminou 


caves  change 


.M()(jiv  i:rni;t  iiickou  v 


i9 


which  arc  not  very  conspicuous,  are  of  a  pale  rose  color,  and  are  situated 
at  the  extremity  of  the  young  shoots. 

The  fruit  is  ripe  about  the  loth  of  November.  It  is  odorous,  sessile  or 
rarely  pedunculated,  and  commonly  united  in  pairs.  In  form  and  size,  it 
exhibits  remarkable  varieties:  on  some  trees  it  is  round,  with  depressed 
seams,  on  others  oblong,  with  angular  or  prominent  seams;  it  is  sometimes 
2  inches  long  and  12  or  15  lines  in  diameter,  and  sometimes  of  less  than 
half  this  size.  It  dillers  also  in  weight,  as  well  as  in  configuration  and 
volume,  varying  from  one  drachm  to  four.  The  largest  nuts  might  be  con- 
founded with  those  of  the  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory,  and  the  smallest  with 
those  of  the  Pignut  Hickory  :  I  have  selected  for  the  drawing  a  nut  of  the 
most  common  size.  The  shell  is  very  thick,  somewhat  channeled,  and 
extremely  liard.  The  kernel  is  sweet  but  ni'mute,  and  didicult  to  extract, 
on  account  of  the  stiong  partitions  which  divide  it:  hence,  probably,  is 
derived  the  luune  of  Mockernut,  and  hence,  also,  this  fruit  is  rarely  seen  in 
the  markets. 

The  trunk  of  the  old  Mockernut  Hickory  is  covered  with  a  thick,  hard, 
and  rugged  bark.  Its  wood  is  of  the  same  color  and  texture  with  the  other 
Hickories,  and  characterized  by  the  qualities  which  render  this  class  of 
trees  so  remarkable.  It  is  particularly  esteemed  for  fuel,  for  which  use, 
trees  of  G  orS  inches  in  diameter  are  preferred.  At  this  stage  of  its  growth, 
while  the  heart,  the  proper  color  of  which  is  reddish,  is  not  yet  developed, 
it  frecpiently  goes  by  the  name  of  White-heart  Hickory.  In  the  country,  a 
greenish  color  is  sometimes  extracted  from  the  bark,  but  it  is  not  exten- 
sively in  use. 

Of  all  the  Hickories,  this  species  is  of  the  slowest  growth:  a  fact  which 
I  have  proved  by  planting  nuts  of  the  several  species,  and  by  comparing 
the  length  of  their  annual  shoots.  I  have  also  been  led  to  believe,  that  it 
is  the  most  liable  to  be  attacked  by  worms,  and  especially  by  the  Cul/idiuin 
Jlexuosum,  whose  larva  eats  within  the  body  of  the  tree.  These  consider- 
ations appear  sufhciently  weighty  to  induce  cultivators,  in  forming  large 
plantations,  to  prefer  some  of  the  species  which  are  described  in  the  sequel. 

PLATE  XXXV. 

Alcafof  the  third  of  Its  na/itral  size.    Fig.  I,.'?  nut  ivilhits  hi(slc.     Fig.  2, 
/J  nth  without  its  husk.    Fig.  3,  CaUidiumJkxuosuin. 


|crs  appear  on 
jniale  llowers 


[  so    ] 


SITELLBARK    IfTCKORY. 


Jucr.ANs  SQUAMOSA.  J.  folloHs  qnttiis,  mnjoriliiis,  Ionise  piliolufls,  ovato-nnimi- 
nalis,  sirnil'iH,  suhluH  villouls,  inipari  sessi/l;  (nnrnlis  viancu/is,  composilis, 
glabris,fiHfonnibus:  friictu  g/oboso,  ilrprcsso,  majore  ;  nitce  comprcssu  iilbd. 

Cftrya  Alba.  Nutt. 

The  singular  disposition  of  the  bark  in  this  species,  has  given  rise  to  the 
descriptive  names  of  Shellbark,  Shagbark,  and  Scalybark  Hickory,  tlie  first 
of  which,  as  being  most  generally  in  use  in  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States,  I  have  adopted.  IMany  descendants  of  tlie  Dutch  settlors,  who  in- 
liahit  the  parts  of  New  Jersey  near  the  city  of  New  York,  call  it  Kislnj 
Thomas  nut,  and  the  French  of  Illinois  know  it  by  the  name  of  Koycr 
taidrc,  or  Soft  Walnut. 

Beyond  Portsmouth,  in  New  Hampshire,  I  have  not  observed  the  Shell- 
bark  Hickory;  and  even  there,  its  vegetation  being  impeded  by  the  rigor 
of  the  climate,  its  stature  is  low  and  its  fruit  small.  I  have  not  found  it  in 
the  forests  of  the  District  of  JNlaine,*  nor  in  those  of  Vermont,  situated  a 
little  higher  toward  the  north.  It  abounds  on  the  shores  of  I^ake  Erie, 
about  Geneva  in  Gencssee,  along  the  river  Mohawk,  in  the  neigbljourhood 
of  Goshen  in  New  .Jersey,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  rivers  Susquehannah 
and  Schuylkill  in  Pennsylvania.  In  Maryland,  in  the  lower  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  in  the  other  Soutl"irn  States,  it  is  less  common.  In  South  Caro- 
lina, I  have  not  noticad  it  nearer  Charleston  than  the  parish  of  Goose 
Creek,  about  24  miles  distant.  It  is  met  with  in  the  Western  States,  but 
not  as  frequently  as  the  following  species, — the  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory, 
to  which  it  bears  a  striking  analogy,  and  with  which  it  is  confounded  by 
the  inhabitants.  East  of  the  Alleghanies,  the  Shellijark  Hickory  grows 
almost  exclusively  about  swamps  ami  wet  grounds,  which  are  exposed  to 
be  inundated  for  several  weeks  together:  in  these  situations,  it  is  found  in 
company  with  the  Swamp  White  Oak,  Red-llowering  Maple,  Sweet  Gum, 
Buttoiiwood  and  Tupelo.  Of  all  the  Hickories,  this  species  grows  to  the 
greatest  height  with  proportionally  the  smallest  diameter,  for  it  is  some- 
times seen  SO  or  'JO  feet  high,  and  less  than  two  feet  thick.  The  trunk  is 
destitute  of  branches,  regularly  shaped,  and  of  an  almost  uniform  size  for 
tiirec  quarters  of  its  length,  thus  forming  a  very  fine  tree.     The  greatest 

•  [The  Shellbark  Hickory  is  found  in  the  counly  of  York,  in  Maine.    Emerson.] 


! 


'itlis,  ovftto-rtrinni- 
mcu/is,  coinpositis, 
tee  comprcssa  ulbct. 

-iirya  Alba.  Nutt. 


given  rise  to  the 
flickory,  the  first 
e  and  Southern 
settlers,  wlio  in- 
k,  call  it  Kislnj 

name  of  M)ycr 

?rve(l  the  Shell- 
ed  by  the  rigor 
not  found  it  in 
nont,  situated  a 
J  of  J.ake  Erie, 
neighljourhood 
Susquehannah 
r  i)nrts  of  Vir- 
h\  South  Caro- 
rish  of  Coose 
-M'n  States,  but 
bark  Hickory, 
tinfounded  by 
tickory  giows 
le  exposed  to 
it  is  found  in 
,  Sweet  Gum, 
grows  to  the 
r  it  is  some- 
The  trunk  is 
iform  size  for 
The  greatest 

2mekso\.] 


\  '■ 


4 


A^>v,    ./.■/ 


■.,.';../. 


Shell  haik  I  111  ki)i\ 


SITKM,  Tl  ARK   IlKMCOR  V. 


Bt 


ppfiiliniity  in  its  nppoarnncc,  and  lliaf  hy  wliirli  it  is  most  easily  distin- 
j^iiislied,  is  the  surface  of  the  trunk.  The  exterior  bark  is  divided  into  a 
great  nuniher  of  loiiir,  narrow  plales,  whieli  l)end  outward  at  the  ctul'^, 
and  adlicre  only  in  the  inidtlle.  lirisllinir  in  this  UKuiner  wilii  projeciing 
points,  the  SlicHhiirk  Hickory  attracts  the  attention  of  liie  most  carehvss 
observer.  This  remarkable  exfoliation  of  the  epidermis  takes  place  only 
in  trees  which  exceed  10  inches  in  diameter,  thouj^h  it  is  much  eailicr  in- 
dicated by  seams.  Tiiis  characteristic,  by  which  the  tree  may  be  rccos^f- 
nised  in  winter  when  siript  of  its  leaves,  does  not  exist  duriu'^  the  7  or  S 
firstyearsof  its  <jjrowlli;  and  duriniithis  period,  it  may  easily  be  confounded 
with  the  Rlockcrnut  Hickory  and  Pij^nut  Hickory,  if  recourse  is  not  had 
to  the  buds.  In  these  two  species,  and  generally  in  all  trees,  the  buds  are 
formed  of  scales  closely  applied  one  upon  another;  in  the  species  which 
we  are  considering,  the  two  external  scales  adhere  for  oidy  half  the  length 
of  the  bud,  and  leave  the  upper  part  uncovered.  It  is  my  opiidon,  that 
in  this  disposition  of  the  scales,  winch  is  peculiar  to  this  and  the  following 
species,  should  be  sought  the  origin  of  the  exfoliation  of  the  bark. 
When  the  sap  begins  to  ascend  in  the  spring,  the  outer  scales  fall,  and  the 
inner  ones  swell  and  become  covered  with  a  yellowish  silky  down  :  after 
a  fortnight,  the  buds,  which  are  already  2  inches  long,  open  and  give  birth 
to  the  young  leaves.  The  growth  of  the  leaves  are  so  rapid,  that  in  a 
month  they  attain  their  full  length,  which  on  young  and  vigorous  trees  is 
sometimes  20  inches.  They  consist  of  2  pair  of  leallets  with  a  sessile  odd 
one.  The  leallets  are  very  large,  oval-acuminate,  serrate,  and  slightly 
downy  underneath.  The  male  llowers,  which  in  the  State  of  New  York 
appear  from  the  15th  to  the  20th  of  May,  are  disposed  as  in  the  preceding 
species,  on  long,  glabrous,  fdiform,  pendulous  aments,  of  which  three  are 
united  on  a  common  peduncle,  attached  at  the  base  of  the  young  shoots; 
the  female  flowers,  of  a  greenish  hue,  and  scarcely  apparent,  are  situati-tl 
at  the  extremity.  The  fruit  of  the  Shellbark  Hickory  is  ripe  about  the  be- 
ginning of  October.  Some  years  it  is  so  abundant,  that  several  bushels 
may  be  gathered  from  a  single  tree.  It  varies  in  size,  according  to  the  soil 
and  the  exposure  in  which  it  is  produced,  but  5^  inches  may  be  assumed 
as  the  average  of  its  circumference.  The  shape  is  uniformly  round,  with 
four  depressed  seams,  in  which  the  husk  opens  at  the  season  of  perfect 
maturity,  dividing  itself  completely  into  equal  sections.  The  entire  se})a- 
ration  of  the  husk,  and  its  thickness  disproportioned  to  the  size  of  the  nut, 
form  a  character  peculiar  to  the  Shellbark  Hickories.  The  nuts  of  this 
species  are  small,  white,  compressed  at  the  sides,  and  marked  by  four  dis- 
tinct angles,  which  correspond  to  the  divisions  of  the  husk. 

The  Shellbark  nut  contains  a  fuller  and  sweeter  kernel  than  any  American 
Walnut,  except  the  Pecannut.      The  shell,  though  thin,  must  be  cracked 
before  being  brought  upon  the  table,  as  it  is  too  hard  to  be  crushed  in  the 
11 


Jv2 


Sll  l-:i,L  15  A  UK    IIIC  K  (»  W  V 


fmi^ors  lilvL'  llio  (European  Waltuil,  wliicli    is  ccrlainly    a    ^iipcrini   linil. 
Tlioso  nuts  are  in  sucli  request,  thai  tliey  form  a  small  artirle  of  cnmiiicrcc, 


rotri 


stcred    on   tlic   list   ol'  fxpoiJs  cit'  lln'   [ikuIiicI.s  of  tl 


iuUm 


I      Suit. 


This  exportation,  whicli  tioi's  nuL  exceed  400  or  500  l)u.shels  annually, 
takes  place  troiu  New  York',  and  from  the  small  ports  of  Connecticut,  to 
tlie  Southern  States,  to  the  West  India  Islands,  and  even  to  Liverpool  ; 
where  the  fruit  is  known  hy  the  name  of  Hickory  nuts.  In  the  maik.'t  of 
iS'ew  Vork,  Ihcy  are  sold  at  two  dollars  a  hushel.  They  are  gathered  in 
the  forests,  and  from  instdated  trees  wlil  di  in  some  places  have  been 
spared  in  clcariii'.!;  the  lands:  a  precaution  Wi  'cli  I  have  i)arlicularly  notic- 
ed to  have  been  used  near  (iosheu  in  New  Jeisey,  and  on  several  estates 
about  I'D  miles  beyond  Albany. 

The  Indians  who  inhabit  the  shores  of  Lakes  l*]rie  aiul  iMichij:;aii, 
lay  up  a  store  of  these  nuts  for  the  winter,  a  part  of  which  they  pound  in 
wooden  mortars,  and  boilin;^  the  paste  in  water,  collect  the  oily  matter 
which  swims  upon  the  surface,  to  season  their  food. 

Before  speaking  of  the  properties  of  the  wood,  I  cannot  forbear  me?ili- 
oning  a  line  variety  of  Shellbark  nuts,  produced  upon  a  farm  at  Seacoeus, 
near  Snakehill  in  New  Jersey.  They  arc  nearly  twice  as  large  as  any  that: 
I  have  seen  elsewhere,  and  have  a  wliite  shell  v;ith  rounded  prominences 
instead  of  angles.  A  century  of  cultivation,  perhaps,  would  not  advance 
the  species  generally  to  an  equal  degree  of  perfection,  and  probably  this 
variety  might  still  be  improved  by  grafting. 

The  wood  of  the  Shellbark  Hickory  possesses  all  the  characteristic  pro- 
perties of  the  Hickories,  being  strong,  elastic,  and  tenacious.  It  has  also 
their  common  defects  of  soon  decaying  and  of  being  eaten  by  worms. 
As  this  tree  stretches  up  to  a  great  height  with  nearly  an  uniform  diameter, 
it  is  sometimes  employed  at  New  York  and  Philadelphia  for  the  keels  of 
vessels;  but  it  is  now  seldom  used  for  this  purpose,  most  of  the  large  trees 
near  the  sea  ports  being  aheady  consumed.  Its  wood  is  found  to  split 
most  easily  and  to  be  the  most  elastic  ;  for  this  reason  it  is  used  for  making 
baskets,  and  also  for  whip-handles  which  are  esteemed  for  their  suppleness, 
and  of  which  several  cases  are  annually  exported  to  England.  For  the  same 
excellence,  and  for  the  superior  fineness  of  its  grain,  it  is  selected,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  New  Y^ork  and  Philadelphia,  for  the  back-bows  of  Wind- 
sor chairs,  which  are  wholly  of  wood.  I  have  frequeutly  observed  that 
among  the  Hickory  wood  brought  to  New  York  for  fuel,  this  species  pre- 
dominated. 

Such  are  the  uses  to  which  the  Shellbark  Hickory  appears  peculiarly 
adapted.  It  has  before  been  seen  to  be  a  tree  of  lofty  stature  and  majestic 
appearance  :  I  should  therefore  recommend  its  introduction  into  the  Euro- 
pean forests,  where  it  should  be  consigned  to  cool  and  humid  places,  con- 
genial   with    those  in  which  it  flourishes  in  America.     In  the  North  of 


i| 


a  Mipciinr  (inil. 
tide  ofcniriincrcc, 
u  liiilcil  Si.iU's. 
IjusliL'ls  iiiiiiuiilly, 
i"  Connecticut,  to 
en  to  Liverpool  ; 
In  liie  iniiiivot  of 

arc  gathered  in 
aces  liiivo  boeii 
'aill(!iiliiily  notic- 
)n  several  estates 

and    Micliignn, 

h  tlu'y  pound  in 

the  oily  matter 

t  l'url)ear  menti- 
irai  at  Seacociis, 
lari^e  as  any  that 
led  prominences 
dd  not  advance 
d  probably  this 

aracteristic  pro- 
ms.    It  has  also 
iten  by  ^vorms. 
liform  diameter, 
"or  the  keels  of 
f  the  large  trees 
:  found  to  split 
jsed  for  makins 
lieir  suppleness, 
.     For  the  same 
selected,  in  the 
■bows  of  Wind- 
observed  that 
is  species  prc- 


3ars  peculiarly 
re  and  majestic 
into  the  Euro- 
id  places,  con- 
1  the  North  of 


//  ■■;  - 


<hii//ii/i,'-  /iiii/iitVit, 


I 


/Y.:h 


THICK   SIII:LLB  ARK    HICKORY. 


83 


Europe  it  could  not  Tail  of  succeeding,  as  it    securely  braves  tlie  most 
intense  cold. 


PLAT!':    \XX\I. 

Fi<c.  1,  .1  nut  irllh  Us  /»»«/.■.     /'/>  o.  //  scdion  of  the  futile.     Fii(.  3,  .? 
nut  without  its  husk.     Fi^.  4i  .^  burrcn  miunt  divided  into  (hne  parts. 


THICK    SIIKLLBAllK   HICKORY. 


\ 


JuGLANs  i.ACiNiosA.  J.  folHs  viajoribus.folioUs  7 — 9"'%  oiudo-acuminatis,  srrra- 
tis,  subtomrntosis,  impari,  prtiulutu  :  fruclu  mnjorc,  ovato  ;  nucc  obloiigd, 
crassii,  mcdiucritcr  compn'ssu. 

C'Mya.  Siilciita,  Nutt. 

This  species  benrs  a  strikiiifr  analogy  to  the  procedino,',  and  is  frequently 
confounded  with  it  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Western  country:  some  of 
them  distinguish  it  by  the  name  of  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory,  wliich  should 
be  presei'ved  as  its  appropriate  denomiiiaiion.  Kast  of  the  Alleghanies, 
this  tree  is  rare,  and  is  found  only  in  a  few  places  ;  it  grows  on  the  Schuyl- 
kill river  30  or  40  miles  front  its  junction  witii  the  Delaware,  and  in  the 
A'icinity  of  Springfield,  15  or  20  niih-s  fiom  i'hthulelphia,  where  its  fruit  is 
called  Springlleld  nut.  It  is  also  found  in  (lloucester  county,  in  Virginia, 
imdcr  the  name  of  Gloucester  Walnut.  'I'hcse  dillerent  denominations 
confirm  my  observation,  that  this  spocii's  is  liule  multiplied  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  Alleghany  Alountains  ;  a  fact  of  which  I  became  assured  in 
travjlling  through  the  country.  It  uliounds,  on  the  other  hand,  in  the 
bottoms  which  skirt  the  Ohio  and  the  rivers  which  empty  into  it,  where  it 
unites  with  the  Honey  Locust,  151ack  Maple,  llackberry,  IJlack  Walnut, 
Wild  Cherry,  While  and  Red  Kim,  15ox  Klder,  White  Maple,  and  Button 
wood,  to  foim  the  thick  and  gloomy  forests  which  cover  these  vallevs. 
Like  the  Shellbark  Hickory,  it  grows  to  the  height  of  SO  feet,  and  its  ample 
head  is  sujiported  by  a  straight  trunk,  in  diameter,  proportioned  to  its 
elevation.  The  bark  exhibits  the  same  singular  arrangement  with  that  of 
the  Shellbark  Hickory  :  it  is  divided  into  strips  from  1  to  •'}  feel  long,  which 
are  warped  oulwaid  at  the  end,  and  attached  only  at  the  middle.  They 
fall  and  are  succeeded  by  others  similarly  disposed.     It  is  only  observable 


84  THICK    S1IELLI5AUK    HICKORY. 

that  in  tliis  species  the  plates  are  narrower,  more  numerous,  and  of  a  lighter 
color;  fiorn  which  difFerenccs,  I  have  thought  proper  to  give  it  the  specific 
name  nnuciiiiosa.  The  outer  scales  of  the  buds  do  not  adhere  entirely  to 
the  inner  ones,  but  retire  as  in  the  Shellbark  Hickory.  The  leaves  also, 
■which  vary  in  length  from  8  to  20  inches,  observe  the  same  proccjs  in 
unfolding,  and  are  similar  in  size,  configuralion  and  texture  ;  but  they  dillcr 
in  being  coniposed  of  7  leallels  and  sonielimes  of  9,  instead  of  5  the  inva- 
riable number  of  the  Sliellbark  Hickory.  The  male  aments  are  disposed 
in  the  same  form,  though  they  are,  perhaps,  a  little  longer  than  in  the 
other  species.  The  female  flowers  ajjpcar,  not  very  conspicuously,  at  the 
extremity  of  the  shoots  of  the  same  spring.  They  are  succeeded  by  a  large 
oval  fruit,  more  than  2  inches  long,  and  4  or  5  inches  in  circumference. 
Like  that  of  the  Shellbark  Hickory,  it  has  four  depressed  scams,  which,  at 
its  complete  maturity,  open  through  their  whole  length  for  the  escape  of 
the  nut.  The  nut  of  this  species  is  widely  difTerent  from  the  other ;  it  is 
nearly  twice  as  big,  longer  than  it  is  broad,  and  terminated  at  each 
end  in  a  firm  point.  The  shell  is  also  thicker  and  of  a  yellowish  hue, 
while  that  of  the  Shellbark  nut  is  white. 

From  the  color  of  its  nut,  the  Shellbark  Hickory  received  the  specific 
name  of  a/ba,  which  I  have  changed,  as  it  indicates  a  character  possesscil 
by  it  in  common  with  another  species,  found  in  the  Royal  Gardens  of  the 
Petit  Trianon.  This  species,  originally  from  North  America,  belongs  to 
the  Scalybark  Hickories.  The  nuts  are  white,  and  the  entire  fruit,  though 
a  little  inferior  in  size,  resembles  that  of  the  proper  Shellbark  Hickory. 
By  its  foliage,  it  is  related  to  the  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory,  each  leaf  being 
composed  of  4  pair  of  leaflets  with  an  odd  one.  The  specific  name  of 
arnhigua,  might  with  propriety  be  given  to  it. 

The  nuts  of  the  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory  are  brought  every  autumn  to 
the  market  of  Philadelphia,  but  the  quantity  does  not  exceed  a  few  bushels, 
and  they  are  generally  sold  mixed  with  those  of  the  Mockernut  Hickory, 
which  resemble  some  varieties  of  this  species.  The  Gloucester  Hickory  I 
consider  only  as  a  variety  of  the  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory,  to  which  it 
bears  the  strongest  resemblance,  in  its  young  shoots,  in  the  number 
of  its  leaflets,  and  in  its  barren  aments.  The  only  essential  difference  is 
in  the  nuts ;  those  of  the  Gloucester  Walnut  are  a  third  larger,  with  the 
shell  one  half  thicker,  and  so  hard  that  it  requires  pretty  heavy  blows  of 
a  hammer  to  crack  them.  In  color,  they  resemble  the  nuts  of  the  Mocker- 
nut  Hickory,  with  the  finest  varieties  of  which  they  might,  from  this  cir- 
cumstance, be  confounded. 

The  'I'hick  Shelll)ark  Hickory,  as  has  been  said,  is  nearly  related  to  the 
Shellbark  Hickory,  and  its  wood,  which  is  of  the  same  color  and  texture, 
unites  the  peculiar  qualities  of  that  species  with  such  as  are  common  to  the 
Hickories.     Its  fruit,  'hough  larger,  is  inferior  in  taste,  and  this  cousidera- 


II Y.  __ 

5,  and  of  a  ligl>ter 
ive  it  the  specilic 
adhere  entirely  to 

The  leaves  also, 

same  procc^is  in 
ic  ;  bvit they  dillcr 
cad  of  b  the  inva- 
Mits  are  disposed 
jnger  than  in  the 
nspicuously,  at  the 
cceeded  by  a  large 
;  in  circumference, 
d  seams,  which,  at 

1  for  the  escape  of 
■om  the  other ;  it  is 
terminated  at  each 
)f  a  yellowish  hue, 

cceived  the  specific 
.  character  possessed 
oyal  Gardens  of  the 
America,  belongs  to 

2  entire  fruit,  though 
ShoUbark  Hickory. 

cory,  each  leaf  bein^' 
10  specific  name  of 

rht  every  autumn  to 
Cceed  a  few  bushels, 
llMockernut  Hickory, 
}loucestcr  Hickory  I 
iickory,  to  which  it 
[ots,  in   the    number 
]sential  diilerence  is 
lird  larger,  with  the 
retty  heavy  blows  of 
.  nuts  of  the  Mocker- 
Light,  from  this  cir- 

nearly  related  to  the 
le  color  and  texture, 
]s  are  common  to  the 
and  this  cousidera- 


■nilCK    SllKLLJJARK    HICKOllV. 


85 


^ 


lion  should  induce  proprietors  in  the  Western  country,  in  clearing  thtir 
new  lands,  to  spare  the  true  Shellbark  Hickory  in  preftrence,  when  both 
species  are  found  upon  the  same  soil.  For  the  same  reason,  and  for  its 
favorable  growth  in  less  fertile  grounds,  and  even  in  elevated  situations,  a 
fact  which  Iliave  observed  near  I')rownsvilleon  llie  Monongaliela  river,  the 
same  preference  slioiild,  I  think,  be  given  to  it  in  the  foresls  of  Hurojje. 

In  tlie  description  of  the  Scaly  bark  Hickories,  it  has  been  seen,  that  they 
exliibit  many  stiiking  trails  of  resemblance,  wliieh  may  warrant  the  group- 
ing of  tliem  into  a  secondary  section.  Beside  their  generic  and  specific 
characters,  they  possess  others  peculiar  to  themselves,  by  which  they  are 
so  nearly  related,  that  were  it  not  for  some  remarkable  dilFercnces,  they 
niiglit  be  treated  as  a  single  species.  Tlie  general  characters  of  the  Hick- 
ories are,  three-clefted,  pliable,  and  pendulous  male  aments,  and  certain 
common  properties  of  the  wood.  To  these  are  added,  in  the  Scaly  Hick- 
ories, a  very  thick  husk  covering  the  nut  completely,  and  divided  into  four 
])arts  when  ripe  ;  a  shaggy  bark  on  the  trunk,  indic;ited,  in  my  opinion,  by 
tlie  external  scales  of  the  buds  not  adhering  to  those  beneath  ;  and  leaves 
composed  of  very  large  leailets  of  a  uniform  shape  and  texture.  In  com- 
paring the  three  species  wilh  eiich  other,  essential  dill'erences  are  observed. 
The  Shellbark  Hickory,  for  instance,  and  the  Jughins  uinhi^iia  arc  con- 
stantly distinguished  by  the  number  of  leaflets,  which  is  always  5  in  the 
first  species  and  9  in  the  last.  The  nuts  and  tlie  entire  fruit,  on  the  other 
hand,  are  so  much  alike,  that  they  might  be  mistaken  for  the  product  of 
the  same  tree  ;  the  fiuit  of  both  is  round,  with  depressed  seains,  and  the 
nuts  are  similarly  moulded  and  c(jually  white.  If,  on  a  more  attentive 
examination,  the  Gloucester  Hickory  is  determined  to  be  a  distinct  species 
from  the  Thick  Shellbark  Hickory,  it  will  be  observed  that  they  resemble 
each  other  in  their  leaves,  composed  of  7  and  sometimes  of  9  leailets,  and 
in  the  luxuiiant  force  of  their  vegetation  ;  but  that  theydillor  in  their  fruit, 
Avliich  in  the  Thick  Slielibark  Hickory  is  oblong,  wilh  a  compressed  nut, 
like  that  of  the  Shellbark  Hickory,  of  twice  the  size,  and  of  a  yellowish 
color,  and  in  the  Gloucester  Hickory  spherical  and  very  large,  with  a  large 
grayish  white  nut,  nearly  round,  whose  shell  is  2  lines  thick  and  extremely 
hard.  In  fine,  it  is  to  be  remarked,  that  the  species  and  the  variety  of  the 
Scalybark  Hickory  which  have  been  described,  grow,  or  at  least  are  most 
abundantly  multiplied,  in  regions  far  remote  from  each  other. 

PLATE  XXXVII. 

*^  leaf  of  one  Ihird  of  its  natural  size.     Fig,  1,  d  section  of  the  htis/i.     Fig, 
2,  Xuts. 


C     SG     ] 


niiNUT   lllCKOKY. 

JticLANs  ronciNA.  J.  fo/lolis  5 — 7"'%  ovnlo-aaiminalis,  scrrnfis,  ghibris  ; 
amcntis  musculls  coinpositis,fi/iJ'orinibica,  glahvis  ;  J'ruclu  pijrifunnivel  glo- 
hoso  ;  mice  minium,  Icvi,  ditrhsbiu't . 

Cfirya  Porcina,  Nutt. 

This  species  is  generally  known  in  tlie  United  Stales  by  the  name  of 
Pignut  and  Ilognut  Hickory,  sometimes  also  by  tliat  of  Broom  Hickory. 
The  first  of  these  names  is  most  commonly  in  use  ;  the  others  are  known 
only  in  some  districts  of  Pennsylvania,  and  particularly  in  the  County  of 
Lancaster.  Portsmouth  in  New  Hampshire  may  be  considered  as  limiting, 
toward  the  nouh,  the  climate  of  this  tree.  A  little  further  south,  it  is 
abundant,  and  in  the  Atlantic  parts  of  the  Middle  States,  it  helps,  with  the 
Mockernut  Hickory,  White  Oak,  Swamp  Wiiite  Oak,  Sweet  Gum,  and 
Dogwood,  to  form  the  mass  of  the  forests.  In  the  Southern  Slates,  espe- 
cially near  the  coast,  it  is  less  common  in  the  woods,  being  found  only  on 
the  borders  of  the  swamps,  and  in  places  which  are  wet  without  being 
absolutely  marshy,  or  exposed  to  be  long  inundated.  This  tree  is  met  with 
in  the  Western  country,  but  k'ss  frecpienlly,  I  believe,  than  the  Thick 
Shellbark  and  Mockernut  Hickories.  I  liave  observed  that  the  last  men- 
tioned species  grows  wherever  tlie  Pignut  is  found,  but  that  tlie  Pignut 
does  not  always  accompany  the  Mockernut,  which  is  satisfied  with  a  less 
substantial  soil.  Tiiis  remark  I  have  made  more  particularly  in  the  lower 
parts  of  Virginia,  of  tlie  two  Carolinas,  and  of  Georgia.  It  appears  then, 
that  with  the  exception  of  the  States  of  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  of 
the  District  of  ]Maine,  of  the  Geiicssee  country,  and  of  the  cold  and  moun- 
tainous tracts  aloii";  the  whole  ran<j;e  of  the  Allci'hany  mountains,  this  tree 
is  more  or  less  abundant  in  the  forests  throughout  the  United  States. 

The  Pignut  Hickory  is  one  of  the  largest  trees  of  the  United  States.  It 
grows  to  the  height  of  70  or  SO  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  3  or  4  feet.  In  the 
winter,  when  stript  of  its  leaves,  it  is  easily  known  by  the  shoots  of  the 
preceding  summer,  which  are  brown,  less  than  half  as  large  as  those  of  the 
Mockernut  and  Shellbark  Hickories,  and  terminated  by  small,  oval  buds. 
At  this  season,  it  is  easy  also  to  distinguish  the  liitternut  Hickory,  by  its 
naked  and  yellow  buds.  The  buds  of  this  species,  as  in  the  other  Hick- 
ories with  scaly  buds,  are  more  than  an  inch  in  leiiglli,  a  few  days  before 
their  unfolding.  The  inner  scales  are  the  largest  and  of  a  reddish  color. 
They  do  not  fall  till  the  leaves  are  5  or  6  inches  long.     The  leaves  are 


talis,  serralis,  ghibris  ; 
''niclii  pyrifonni  eel  glo- 

Chrya.  Porcina,  Nutt. 

States  by  the  name  of 
lat  of  Broom   Hickory, 
the  others  are  known 
iilarly  in  the  County  of 
considered  as  limiting, 
tie  further  south,  it  is 
aces,  it  helps,  with  the 
ak,   Sweet   Gum,  and 
Southern  States,  espe- 
^,  being  found  only  on 
ire  wet  without  beinir 
This  tree  is  met  witli 
lieve,  than  the  Thick 
ved  that  the  last  men- 
,  but  that  the  Pignut 
s  satisfied  with  a  less 
rticularly  in  the  lower 
;ia.     It  appears  then, 
1  New  Hampshire,  of 
of  the  cold  and  moun- 
y  mountains,  this  tree 
United  States. 
he  United  States.     It 
)f  3  or  4  feet.     In  the 
by  the  shoots   of  the 
>  large  as  those  of  the 
by  small,  oval  buds, 
riiut  Hickory,  by  its 
s  in  the  other  Hick- 
h,   a  few  days  before 
id  of  a  reddish  color, 
ng.     The  leaves  are 


I 


I 


/y..'.v 


A /!/ 


I'lOMMl       llu   k(ll\' 
,  htii/dil,-    /i('/<  l/lfi  . 


I-  ;■ 


I'  I  (i  N  I    r    IIK'KO  K  V 


(•(impound,  iind  vnry  in  size  and  in  llic  iinndicr  of  Iciidcls,  accoidiii;^  lo  tlio 
moisture  and  foitility  of  llio  soil.  In  rich  ^lounds,  llicy  arc  18  iuclics 
lonjT  ;  and  tlio  complete  number  of  Irallets  is  3  pairs  with  an  odd  one.  'I'he 
Icallets  are  4  or  5  inches  loirj;,  acuminale,  serrate,  nearly  sessile,  and  gla- 
brous or  smooth  on  both  sides.  On  vigorous  trees,  which  grow  in  shady 
exposures,  the  petiole  is  of  a  violet  color. 

The  male  ameuts  are  smooth,  lllil'oim,  llexible,  and  i)endidous :  they 
are  2  inches  loii'-,S  and  in  their  arraii'^ement  ri  senible  those  of  the  other 
Hickories.  The  female  llowers  are  gieenisli,  not  very  conspicuous,  and 
situated  at  the  extremity  of  the  shoot:  the  licit  succeeds  them  in  pairs  as 
often  as  singly.  The  huslc  is  thin  and  of  a  heau'iful  green:  when  ripe  it 
opens  through  half  its  length,  for  the  jjassage  of  the  nut.  The  nut  is  small, 
smooth,  and  very  hard  on  account  of  the  thickness  of  the  shell.  Its  kernel 
is  sweet  but  meager,  and  dillicidt  to  extract,  from  the  firmness  of  the  parti- 
tions. These  nuts  are  never  carried  to  market,  but  serve  for  I'ood  to  swine, 
raccoons,  and  the  numerous  species  of  .scpiiriels  which  iieople  the  forests. 

In  the  Pignut  Hickory,  the  form  and  si/e  of  the  nuts  vary  more  than  in 
the  other  species.  Some  are  oval,  and  when  covered  with  their  husks 
resemble  young  figs;  others  are  broader  than  they  arc  long,  and  others  am 
perfectly  round.  Among  these  vaiious  forms,  some  nuts  are  as  large  as  (he 
thumb,  and  others  not  bigger  than  the  little  linger.  Ahhough  the  same  tree 
yields  fruit  of  the  same  form  every  year,  I  cannot,  after  an  attentive  exami- 
nation of  the  young  shoots  and  of  the  aments,  consider  these  dilierences  in 
any  other  light  than  as  varieties.  The  two  most  remarkable  of  them  are 
described  in  the  new  edition  of  the  Spicics  PI  an  la  rum,  by  Willdenow,  as 
distinct  species.  That  with  oblong  fruit  is  called  Ju<ilans  glabra,  and  that 
with  round  fruit  and  a  husk  somewhat  rough,  Juglans  ohcardata.  Dr. 
Muhlenberg  admits  this  distinction,  but,  with  all  the  deference  which  I  owe 
to  jiis  botanical  knowledge,  I  cannot  adopt  his  opinion. 

The  wood  of  the  Pignut  Hickory  resembles  that  of  the  other  species  in 
the  color  of  its  sap  and  of  its  heart :  it  possesses  also  their  excellencies  and 
their  defects.  I  have  conversed  with  wheel-wrights  in  the  country,  who 
aflinned  that  it  is  the  strongest  and  the  most  tenacious  of  the  Hickories, 
and  who,  for  that  reason,  preferred  it  to  any  other  for  axle-trees  and  axe 
helves.  These  considerations  lead  me  to  recommend  its  introduction  into 
the  forests  of  Europe,  where  its  success  would  be  certain. 


PLATl-:  XXXMII. 

A  branch  with  Us  leaves  of  one  third  of  the  naltirul  size.  Fiii;.  1,  .'7  nut  with 
its  husk  [ob/oim;  varieli/y  Fig:  2,  .^  nut  without  Us  hush.  Fi'^.  3,  J]  nut  ivith 
its  husk  [I'ottnd  varicli/).     Fig.  4,  A  nut  without  its  husk. 


1      '^S     J 


NUTMlUi    IIICKOIIY. 

Ji'OLANs  MVRisTic.i-i-oHMis.  J.fo/H.H  tjitlnh,  foUiilh  ni"ifn-(iru)iiiii(ifi.i,  srrriilin, 
glubiis:  frticlit  oralo,  ncaliriKscii/o  ;  niicc  minliiiii,  itiirisaiiiKi, 

C'lryii  niyristicn'roriiiif,  Nutt. 

Net  specific  (Irnominnlinn  lias  liitlicrlo  been  u'lvon  to  lliis  spccios  Ijy  the 
iiiliiiliitaiils  ol'llio  MuUllo  Slates,  lo  wliicli  il  is  pcjuliar :  that  of  Nut  nicy 
Hickory,  wliidi  1  have  fonned,  appears  suflicicntly  appiopiialc,  liom  the 
resemblance  of  its  nuts  to  a  nutnieg, 

I  have  not  myseli"  found  this  tree  in  the  foivsts,  and  hcncn  I  conclude 
that  it  is  not  coniinon.  It  is  true  I  hat!  not,  at  tlio  period  of  iny  residence 
in  tliat  ])art  of  the  United  Stales,  conceived  the  dosij^n  of  tlie  present  work, 
and  did  not  devote  myself  entirely  to  the  researches,  which  have  since  given 
birth  to  it.  I  am  acquainted  with  the  NutnicL,'  Hickory  only  by  a  branch 
and  a  handful  of  nuts,  L,dven  me  at  Charleston  in  the  fall  of  1SU2,  by  the 
jj;ar(lener  of  Mr.  H.  Izard,  which  he  had  i:;athored  in  a  swamp  on  his  mas- 
ter's plantation  of  the  Ilhns,  in  the  paiish  of  Goose  Crc^ek.  From  this 
specimen  alone  I  liave  included  the  tree  anioni;'  the  Hickories. 

The  leaves,  which  arc  ccunjjosed  of  4  or  (5  leaflets  with  an  odd  one,  are 
syinetrically  arraniiji'd.  I  remarked  also,  that  the  shoots  of  the  preceding 
year  were  llexible  and  coriaceous. 

The  nuts  are  very  small,  smooth,  and  of  a  brown  color  marked  with  lines 
of  white;  the  husk  is  thin  and  soinewliat  rouglion  the  surface.  The  shell 
is  so  thick,  that  it  constitutes  two  thirds  of  the  volume  of  the  nut,  which, 
conse(piently,  is  extremely  hard,  and  has  a  minute  kernel.  The  fiuit  is 
inferior  even  to  the  Pignut. 

I  suspect  that  the  Ts'utmeg  Hickory  is  more  common  in  Lower  Louis- 
iana :*  it  belongs  to  infjuirers  who  engage  in  researches  analogous  to  those 
which  I  have  jjursued  in  the  Atlantic  and  Wiistcrn  Stales,  to  study  this 
tree  more  fully  than  I  have  been  able  to  do,  and  to  complete  the  imperfect 
description  whicli  I  have  given  of  it. 


PLATE  XXXIX. 

»<?  branch  and  unls  with  their  hitslcs.    Jug.  1,  Jl  mil  icilhout  ills  husk, 

*  III  tlic  inlrrcsliiiff  wnrU  of^Nfr.  W.  Diirl)y  on  Louisiana,  puMiulird  nt  Pliihidilptiia  in  1817, 
the  Niilniig  Hickory  i.i  suid  to  abound  on  tlic  waturt) of  Kcd  rivur  in  tliu  Missi-ssij)!!!  Territory. 

r.  A.  iM. 


i     ■■ 


vmuiiHis,  srrniUs, 
InrissuiKi, 

•isticiDforniis,  Nurr. 

lis  sjH'cics  hy  tlie 
:  lliat  ol'  Nuliiic'r 
opiialc,  I'roni  the 

encn  I  concliule 
of  my  residence 
lie  picsont  work, 
liiivo  since  f^Ivcn 
'Illy  hy  a  branch 
of  1802,  by  the 
imp  on  liis  mas- 
!ek.  Fiom  (his 
lies. 

an  0(1(1  one,  arc 
ii  the  preceding 

firktMl  with  lines 
ace.  'I'he  shell 
the  nut,  which, 
I.     The  fiuit  is 

Lower  Louis- 
logous  to  tliose 
,  to  study  III  is 
3  the  imperfect 


t  Us  hunk. 


liidclpliia  in  1817, 
ssij)|)i  Territory. 

r.  A.  M. 


i  I 


J. 


N  III  111  CO-  llirkorx  \  iil 
.  h(4;/<iii,^  /m/rt,^•/^al■/^</■/^/f,*^ 


f      SI. 


RECAPITULATION 


OK 


THE  moPEllTIES  AND  USES 


Of 


HICKOKY  WOOD. 


In  the  summary  introduction  to  the  History  of  the  WMnuts  of  Vn  n 
Amcnca,  U  was  remarkeJ,  that  those  of  tho  second  sec  ion  c  Jli  ,         ' 

exhibit  great  variations  in  the  size  and  sh-mo  of  n        <   '•      '"/^"^'^"'•'^■^' 
of  leadets  which  compose  their  le  i  A,    "''    '"   '  ?  '""  """'"• 

f^'om  the  eilect  of  soils  of  dil^re,.     ::;^t   :'•  Lf "  n  '   ""'"''T-' 

dead  part,  the  same  organization  is  ohs^ved   i,::;:!:     I^Jf; ^nr 
nes.     I„  other  trees,  the  fibrous  and  tlie  celhilar  tissue  are  co  1 1  d  d 
.ere,  on  the  contraiy,  they  are  separate,  and  the  fibrous  is  regul^     Z'     J 
1"  the  iorin  ol  Jozenges,  which  are  smaller  in  youn-  trees  tlnn   iV    ,^ 
are  inore  t  illy  grown.     An  arrangement  so  peculia^a    l.        ,     J"     s" 
beau  du   eflect   and  great  advantage  might  be  taken  of  it  in  c.    h    t-  ^i 
n^.       .Ins  bark  was  not,  like  other  species,  liable  ,o   warp.     It  .  |    ^ 
nevertheless,  an  interesting  object  in  vegetable  physiolo..,,      So  cl  se   , n 
nalogy  exists  .a  the  wood  of  these  trees,  that  when  strip   of  th    b    k   no 
difference  is  discern  ble  in  the  omln    ,,.|,i,.|,  ;.  .„  ,  '  "° 

in  ,l,e  color  of  .l,e  l,e„,.,,  ..I,;,!    b      i',  ,!"•;:  ,;;''™  '"  ""•  ""' 

hongl,  mod,  ,oJ  ,„  ,1,0  sovcr.l  s,,oci,,,  „,o  ,,„.,,.„,J  ,     „,,,„  „„  ■  ,  ;  ' 

ll.c.=  are    g,.oa.  .o,gl.,,  .„,..,..,l,,  .„,d  „„„;,,.    ,        J    ^^^    »      ^ 


00 


RECAPITULATION. 


exposed  lo  heat  and  moisture,  and  peculiar  liability  to  injury  from  worms. 
According  to  these  prominent  excellencies  and  defects,  the  uses  of  their 
■wood  are  pretty  well  determined,  and  to  these  uses  they  are  indiscriminately 
applied. 

Hickory  timber  is  employed  in  no  part  of  the  United  Slates  in  the  build- 
ing of  houses,  because,  as  has  been  before  observed,  it  is  too  heavy,  and 
soon  becomes  worm  eaten.  JJut  if  its  defects  forbid  its  employment  in 
architecture,  its  good  qualities,  on  the  other  hand,  adapt  it  to  many 
secondary  uses,  which  could  not  be  as  well  subserved  by  any  other  wood. 
Throughout  the  Middle  States,  it  is  selected  for  the  axle-trees  of  carriages, 
for  the  handles  of  axes  and  other  carpenter's  tools,  and  for  large  screws, 
particularly  those  of  book-binder's  presses.  The  cogs  of  mill-wheels  arc 
made  of  Hickory  heart  thoroughly  seasoned  ;  but  it  is  proper  only  for  such 
wheels  as  are  not  exposed  to  moisture  ;  and  for  this  reason  some  other 
wood  is,  by  many  raill-wrights  preferred.  The  rods  which  form  the  back 
of  Windsor  chairs,  coach-whip-handles,  ramrods,  rake-teeth,  (lails  for  thrash- 
ing grain,  and  the  bows  of  ox  yokes  ;  all  these  arc  objects  ordinarily  made 
of  Hickory.  At  Baltimore,  it  is  used  for  the  hoops  of  sieves,  and  is  more 
esteemed  than  the  White  Oak,  which  is  equally  elastic,  but  more  apt  to 
peel  oir  in  small  shreds  into  the  substance  sifted.  In  the  country  near 
Augusta  in  Georgia,  I  have  remarked  that  the  common  chairs  are  of  Hickory 
wood.  In  New  Jersey  it  is  employed  for  shoeing  sledges,  that  is,  for 
covering  the  runners  or  parts  which  slide  upon  the  snow  ;  but  to  be  fit 
for  thisu  se  it  must  have  been  cut  long  enough  to  have  become  perfectly 
dry. 

Of  the  numerous  trees  of  North  America  east  of  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains, none  except  the  Hickory  is  perfectly  adapted  to  the  making  of  hoops 
for  casks  and  boxes.  For  this  purpose  vast  quantities  of  it  are  consumed 
at  home,  and  exported  to  the  West  India  Islands.  The  hoops  arc  made 
of  young  Hickories  from  6  to  12  feet  high,  without  choice  as  to  the  species. 
The  largest  hoop-poles  sold  at  Philadelphia  and  New  York  in  February 
180S,  at  three  dollars  a  hundred.  Each  pole  is  split  into  two  parts,  and 
the  hoop  is  crossed  and  fastened  by  notches,  instead  of  being  bound  at  the 
end  with  twigs,  like  those  made  of  Chesnut.  From  the  solidity  of  the 
wood,  this  method  is  sufficiently  secure. 

When  it  is  considered  how  large  a  part  of  the  productions  of  the  United 
States  is  packed  for  exportation  in  barrels,  an  estimate  may  be  formed  of 
the  necessary  consumption  of  hoops.  In  consequence  of  it,  young  trees 
proper  for  this  object  have  become  scarce  in  all  parts  of  the  country  which 
have  long  been  settled.  The  evil  is  greater,  as  they  do  not  sprout  a  second 
time  *''oin  the  same  root,  and  as  iheir  growth  is  slow.  The  cooper  cannot 
lay  up  a  store  of  them  for  future  use,  for  unless  employed  within  a  year, 
and  often  six  months  after  being  cut,  they  arc  attacked  by  two  species  of 


U  FA'  \  IMTI    F,  A  rr  ON. 


n 


y  from  worms, 
uses  of  their 
discriminately 

s  in  the  buikl- 

00  hijavy,  and 
uiploynicnt  in 
)t  it  to  many 
\y  other  wood. 
'S  of  carriages, 

large  screws, 

1  ill- wheels  arc 
r  only  for  such 
n  some  other 
form  the  back 
ails  for  thrash- 
rdinarily  made 
s,  and  is  more 
>t  more  apt  to 
:  country  near 
are  of  Hickory 
cs,  that  is,  for 

but  to  be  fit 
:omc  perfectly 

!ghany  Moun- 

king  of  hoops 

are  consumed 

ps  are  made 

othe  species. 

in  February 

o  parts,  and 

I)ound  at  the 

lidity  of  the 

)f  the  United 
|be  formed  of 
young  trees 
luntry  which 
|out  a  second 
loper  cannot 
litliin  a  year, 
to  species  of 


insect  ;  one  of  these,  wliicli  cuts  williin  llie  wood,  and  commits  the  greatest 
ravages,  is  represented  on  the  Plate  of  the  Mockernut  Hickory,  the  wood 
of  which  species  I  have  ubserved  to  he  pecidiarly  iialiie  to  its  attacks. 

'I'he  defects  which  unfit  the  Hickory  tor  use  in  tlie  building  of  houses, 
equally  exclude  it  lioni  the  construction  of  vessels.  At  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  the  Shellbark  and  Pignut  Hickories  have  been  taken  for 
keels,  and  are  f.uiid  to  last  as  long  as  those  of  other  wood,  owing  to  their 
I)cing  always  m  (hi;  water.  Of  the  two  species,  the  Pignut  would  be  pre- 
ferable as  being  less  liable  to  split,  but  it  is  rarely  found  of  as  large  dimen- 
sions as  the  other. 

In  sloops  and  schooners,  the  rings  by  which  the  sails  arc  lioisted  and 
confined  to  the  mast,  are  always  of  Hickory.  I  have  also  been  assured, 
that  for  attaching  the  cordage  it  makes  excellent  pegs,  wliich  are  stronger 
than  those  of  Oak:  but  they  should  set  loosely  in  the  holes,  as  otherwise 
for  want  of  speedily  scosoning,  they  soon  decay.  For  handspikes,  the 
Hickory  is  particularly  esteemed  on  account  of  its  strength:  it  is  accord- 
ingly em])loyed  in  most  American  vessels,  and  is  exported  for  the  same 
purpose  to  Fngland,  where  it  sells  from  50  to  100  per  cent  higher  than 
Ash,  which  is  brought  also  from  the  north  of  the  United  States.  The 
Hickories  arc  cut  without  distinction  for  this  use,  but  the  Pignut,  I  believe, 
is  the  best. 

All  the  Hickories  are  very  heavy,  and  in  a  given  volume  contain  a  great 
quantity  of  combustible  matter.  They  produce  an  ardent  heat,  and  leave 
a  heavy,  compact,  and  long  lived  coal.  In  this  respect,  no  wood  of  the 
same  latiluile,  in  JCurope  or  America,  can  be  compared  to  them  :  such,  at 
least,  is  the  opinion  of  all  Europeans  who  have  resided  in  the  United 
States.  At  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  people  in  easy  cir- 
cumstances burn  no  other  wood,  and  though  it  is  sold  50  per  cent  higher 
than  Oak,  it  is  found  proiitable  in  use.  It  sold  at  New  York,  the  20th  of 
October,  1807,  at  15  ilollars  a  cord,  and  Oak  wood  at  10  dollars.  From 
its  superior  (piality,  the  Hickory  is  always  sold  separately.  I  have  noticed 
that  at  New  York,  the  Shellbark  predominated  in  the  fuel,  and  at  Philadel- 
phia and  Baltimore,  the  Mockernut.  At  Baltimore,  the  Shellbark,  easily 
recognized  by  its  scaly  bark,  is  never  seen. 

The  quantity  of  the  respective  species  of  Hickory  consumed  in  the  cities 
is  regulated  by  a  soil  and  climate,  more  favorable  to  one  than  another, 
and  not  by  an  opinion  entertained  of  their  comparative  excellence  ;  though 
experience  shows  the  Mockernut  to  be  the  best  and  the  Bitternut  the  poor- 
est.    This  difference,  however,  is  too  slight  to  be  generally  regarded. 

Of  the  uses  to  which  the  Hickory  is  devoted  in  tlie  United  States,  two 
will  principally  contribute,  together  with  the  slowness  of  its  growth,  to  its 
entire  extermination  ;  these  are,  the  cutting  of  the  saplings  for  hoops  and  of 
the  trees  for  fuel.     These  considerations, ^independently  of  many  accessory 


t  I 

I 


1^: 


causes,  which  hasten  the;  dcVtnirtion  of  (he  forests  in  this  ]nnt  fillho  nevv 
world,  load  me  to  believe,  that  in  less  than  50  years  they  will  not  furnish 
a  tenth  piirt  of  tlie  hoops  (Iciaaiidcd  in  romiiuTce.  Hence  arise  motives 
sufliciently  powerl'id  to  en^^age  j)i()[)iietors,  who  seek  to  preserve  their 
forests  and  to  ann;nient  their  vahie,  1o  multiply  in  them  the  most  useful 
trees,  and  especially  the  Hickories.  The  object  might  be  fully  attained  by 
plantiiij^  the  nuts,  previously  made  to  germinate  in  boxes  fdled  with  earth, 
and  kept  moist  in  the  cellar  ;  the  success  of  this  simple  method  is  certain. 
It  would  be  advantageous  also,  to  plant  a  greater  number  than  the  soil  can 
sustain,  that  when  the  poles  are  an  inch  in  diametir,  a  part  of  them  may  be 
cut  for  hooj)s,'''  while  the  rest  are  IcI'L  to  grow  for  fuel,  or  for  other  uses  to 
which  the  Hickory  is  appropriate. 

It  has  been  seen  by  what  precedes,  that  though  the  Hickory  wood  has 
essential  defects,  they  are  compensated  by  good  properties  which  render  it 
valuable  in  the  arts,  and  which  entitle  it  to  the  attention  of  Europeans ; 
above  all,  as  a  combustible.  Though  its  growth  is  slow  during  its  early 
years,  it  should  form  a  part  of  our  forests.  But  I  doubt  whether  this  can 
be  ellectcd  except  by  planting  nuts  in  the  woods,  for  the  trees,  even  when 
very  young,  with  diiliculty  survive  transplantation.  Before  they  are  3  lines 
in  diameter  and  IS  inches  tall,  they  have  a  tap-root  3  feet  long  and  desti- 
tute of  fibres.  Hence  it  has  happened,  that  of  more  than  a  hundred  thou- 
sand young  plants,  produced  by  nuts  which  I  liavc  at  dillercnt  times  sent  to 
France,  very  few  are  found  alive.  They  have  perished  in  the  removal  from 
the  nursery,  or  I.  die  second  transplantation  to  the  place  of  their  ultimate 
destination.  The  Black  Walnut  and  Jiittcrnut,  on  the  contrary,  whose 
roots  do  not  descend  de('i)ly  ajid  are  plentifully  garnished  with  fdjres,  easily 
recover  after  transplantation,  even  when  6  or  8  feet  high  at  the  time  of 
their  removal. 

In  concluding  this  article,  I  recommend  particularly  for  propagation  in 
European  forests  the  Shellbark  Hickory  and  the  Pignut  Hickory,  whose 
wood  unites  in  the  highest  degree  the  valuable  properties  of  the  group.  I 
think  also,  that  the  Pecannut  merits  attention  from  promoters  of  useful  cul- 
ture, not  so  much  for  its  wood  as  for  its  fruit,  which  is  excellent  and  more 
delicate  than  that  of  the  European  Walnut.  It  might  probably  be  doubled 
in  size,  if  the  practice  was  successfully  adopted  of  gratling  this  species  upon 
the  Black  Walnut  or  upon  the  Common  European  Walnut. 


•  [Or  for  w!ilking-stii;ks,  for  which  the  consumption  is  consideriibic,  and  the  demand  con- 
stantly iacrcusinir.    Emkuson,  "  Ticts  and  Shrubs  of  Massachusetts."] 


lit  <)[' {hn  no^v 
II  not  liiniish 
aiisc  luotivrs 
iiescrve  their 
:  most  useful 
ly  attained  by 
;cl  with  earth, 
otl  is  certain. 
1  the  soil  can 
them  may  bo 
other  uses  to 

3ry  wood  has 
lich  render  it 

Europeans ; 
iring  its  early 
ithcr  this  can 
s,  even  when 
cy  are  3  lines 
ng  and  desti- 
.uidred  thou- 
:  times  sent  to 
removal  tioni 
leir  uUimate 
trary,  whose 
fibres,  easily 

the  time  of 

opagatlon  in 
kory,  whose 
e  group.  I 
f  useful  cul- 
t  and  more 
be  doubled 
lucies  upon 


demand  cun- 


I    '.;i 


U  A  r  L  E  s. 


Ok  the  species  which  compose  this  genus,  the  number  known  is  already 
considerable,  and  will  i)rol)ably  be  augmented  by  the  I'uture  researches  of 
Botanists,  especially  on  the  continent  of  North  America. 

The  Maples,  in  general,  are  lofty  and  beautiful  trees.  One  of  their  prin- 
cipal characters  consists  in  opposite  leaves  divided  into  several  very  dis- 
tinct lobes.  Capaljle  of  enduring  an  intense  degree  of  cold,  they  tbrm  in 
the  north  of  the  Old  and  of  the  IS'ew  Continent,  extensive  forests,  which, 
with  those  of  the  Beech,  appear  to  succeed  the  Spruce,  the  Larch,  and  the 
Pine,  and  to  precede  the  Chesnut  and  the  Oak.  Such,  at  least,  seems  to 
be  in  America,  between  the  43d  and  4(ilh  degrees  of  latitude,  the  place 
assigned  by  nature  to  the  true  Sugar  Maple. 

The  sp  .'cies  of  iMaples  hitherto  described  amount  to  fourteen,  of  which 
seven  belong  to  Europe,  and  seven  to  Noith  America.  Among  these  last 
I  have  not  included  the  J)\varf  llt'd  Maple,  jlrer  cucciiiciun,  which  is  a 
diminutive  species,  and  concerning  which  1  do  not  possess  adequate  mate- 
rials for  a  description.  It  abounds  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  has  always  been 
confounded  with  the  proper  Red  Maple  ;  I  have  also  ol)served  it  in  the 
upper  parts  of  New  Hampshire.  It  scarcely  exceeds  12  or  IS  feet  in 
height,  and  its  flowers  and  seeds  are  of  a  more  vivid  red  than  those  of  the 
Red  Maple.  The  Black  Sugar  JMaple  grows  to  about  the  same  height  with 
the  Sugar  Maple,  but  it  is  plainly  a  distinct  species.  In  the  collection  of 
dried  plants  made  by  Captains  Lewis  and  Clarke  during  their  journey  to 
the  South  Sea,  I  saw  specimens  of  a  beautiful  Maple  from  the  banks  of 
Columbia  river. 

From  this  brief  summary  it  results  that  the  North  American  species  arc 
more  numerous  than  those  of  Europe.  The  wood  of  the  INLiples  diiler  so 
widely  in  quality  in  dillerent  species,  that  it  becomes  dillicult  to  charac- 
terize it  by  general  observations  :  it  may  be  remarked  that  it  speedily  fer- 
ments and  decays  when  exposed  to  the  weather,  that  it  is  liable  to  be  injured 
by  worms,  and  that  hence,  it  is  unfit  for  building.  It  possesses  properties, 
however,  which  compensate  in  part  for  these  defects,  and  which  render  it 


?^ 


useful  ill  the  arts  and  in  domestic  economy.     For  more  particular  informa- 
tion, I  must  refer  tlie  reader  to  the  descriptions  of  the  respective  species.* 

[Propagation  and  cttUure.  The  .^ctracetv  prefer  a  free,  deep,  loamy  soil, 
rich,  rather  tlian  sterile,  and  neither  wet  nor  very  dry.  The  situation  that 
suits  them  best  is  one  that  is  sheltered,  and  shady  rather  than  exposed. 
They  are  seldom  found  on  the  north  sides  of  lofty  mountains,  or  on  moun- 
tains at  all,  except  among  other  trees  ;  but  in  the  plains  they  are  found  by 
thcmselvLS.  Though  the  species  only  attain  perfection  in  favorable  soils 
and  situations,  they  will  spring  up  and  live  in  any  situation  whatever. 

They  are  chielly  propagated  from  seeds ;  but  some  sorts  are  increased  by 
layers,  cuttings  of  the  shoots  or  roots,  or  by  budding  or  grafting.  The  seeds 
of  most  of  the  species  ripen  in  October,  and  may  be  gathered  by  hand,  or 
shaken  from  the  tree,  when  the  keys  begin  to  turn  brown.  The  maturity 
of  the  seed  may  be  proved  by  opening  the  key,  and  observing  if  the  cotyl- 
edons are  green,  succulent  and  fresh  ;  if  the  green  color  is  wanting,  the  seeds 
are  good  for  nothing.  The  seeds  may  cither  be  sown  in  autumn  or  in 
spring;  the  latter  is  preferable  where  moles  abound,  as  they  are  very  fond 
of  the  seeds.  Sown  in  spring,  they  come  up  in  five  or  six  weeks,  with  the 
exception  of  Acer  campestre,  which  never  grow  till  the  second  or  third 
year.  The  seeds  should  not  be  covered  with  more  than  from  a  quarter  to 
half  an  inch  of  soil.  The  surface  of  the  ground  in  which  they  are  sown 
may  be  advantageously  shaded  with  leaves,  fronds  of  firs,  or  straw. 

The  Jlcer  argentcum,  or  Silvery-leaved,  and  .^cer  ruhrum,  or  Scarlet 
INIaple,  perfect  their  seeds  in  May,  and  these  should  be  sown  immediately 
alter  having  been  collected  ;  they  will  vegetate  directly,  and  produce  fine 
plants  the  ilrst  season,  if  kept  free  from  weeds.  The  seeds  of  the  former 
do  not  keep  well  till  spring.] 

*  [For  a  larffP  iidilitinnnl  list  of  iNIaplrs,  sre  Nuttall's  SiippicnKiit,  Vol.  9,  p.  77,  r/  srq.  Many 
oflhnso  are  ilcsurviiisr  oftliii  attontioii  ol'r)ur  planters;  cspeeially  the  large  leaved  Mapli;,  some, 
limes  90  feet  lii;.'li,  with  leaves  nearly  a  f'uot  in  diaineler,  alVording  an  impervious  i;nd  coiiipletu 
ehudc.    Sec  also  Eincrsou's  Trees  and  Shrubs  ofMassuchusuU.-',  p.  481. J 


iciilar  iiifornia- 
;(ive  species.* 

ep,  loamy  soil, 

2  situation  tliat 
than  exposed. 
5>  or  on  monn- 
Y  are  found  by 
favorable  soils 
'hatever. 

3  increased  by 
ig.  The  seeds 
d  by  hand,  or 

The  inafuiity 
g  if  the  cotyl- 
ing,  the  seeds 
iutunin  or  in 
:ire  very  fond 
eks,  with  the 
and  or  third 
1  a  quarter  to 
ley  are  sown 
straw. 

,  or  Scarlet 

immediately 

produce  fine 

the  former 


',  rt  srq.  Many 
d  Miipli",  some, 
s  -Liid  complete 


[     95     ] 


MKTIIODfCAL  DISPOSITION 


OF  TIIF- 


MAPLES 


OF 


NORTH    AMERICA. 

JN(;i.Ul>lN(i    TWO    EUROPEAN    ai'EfiES. 


Pulyandria  diccda,  Linn.     Jlcera,  J 


uss. 


FIRST  SECTION. 

Scssilrjloivcrs.     {Fructi/lcalion  vernal.) 


1.  White  Maple. 

2.  Rcd-ilowering  Maple, 


.'leer  criocarpitm. 
deer  rubrum. 


SECOND  SECTION. 


PrduncidulcilJIoivers 

3.  Sugar  Maple, 

4.  Black  Sugar  Maple, 

5.  Norway  Maple, 

6.  Sycamore, 

7.  Moose  Wood, 

8.  Box  Elder, 

9.  Mountain  Maple, 


Fnicllficalion  uulumnal, 

Jleer  saecharintim. 
deer  nigrum. 
Aeer  platunoides. 
Jlcer  pseiido-plataniis. 
Jlccr  striatum. 
Jlcer  negundo. 
•deer  montanum. 


r  !«'  I 


WIllTK  MATLE. 


AciiU  KRincAnrrM.     A.  fnfUs  nppnsitis,  quhit/itefnbls,  prnfiindi'    s!niiit/in,  inx- 
qualitrr  dcnhifis,  siibfiis  cundidissinns :  JJorlbuH  pcntandrh,  (ipclalis. 

Acer  (liisycnriuini.     EiiRKNnKRR. 

In  the  Atlantic  jiarts  of  tlio  United  States,  this  species  is  often  confounded 
with  the  Red  ^rajjle  which  it  nearly  resembles ;  west  of  the  JNIountains, 
they  are  constantly  disliniriiishcd,  and  the  Jlcer  eriocurpum  is  known  by 
no  other  name  than  Wiiitc  Maple. 

The  banks  of  Sandy  river  in  the  District  of  Maine,  and  those  of  the 
Connecticut  near  Windsor,  in  Vermont,  are  the  most  northern  points  at 
which  I  have  seen  the  White  Maple.  Hut,  like  many  other  vegetables,  it 
is  pinched  by  the  rigorous  winters  of  this  latitude,  and  never  reaches  the 
size  which  it  attains  a  few  degrees  further  south.  It  is  found  on  the  banks 
of  all  the  rivers  which  flow  Irom  the  mountains  to  the  ocean,  though  it  is 
loss  common  along  the  streams  which  water  the  southern  parts  of  the 
Carolinas,  and  of  (Jcorgia.  In  no  part  of  the  United  States  is  it  more 
multiplied  than  in  the  Western  Country,  and  nowhere  is  its  vegetation 
more  luxuriant  than  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  of  the  great  rivers 
•which  empty  into  it.  There,  sometimes  alone,  and  sometimes  mingled 
with  the  willow,  which  is  found  along  all  these  waters,  it  contributes  sin- 
gularly by  its  magnificent  foliage  to  the  embellishment  of  the  scene.  The 
brilliant  white  of  the  leaves  beneath  forms  a  striking  contrast  with  the 
bright  green  above,  and  the  alternate  reflexion  of  the  two  surftices  in  the 
water,  heightens  the  beauty  of  this  wonderful  moving  mirror,  and  aids  in 
forming  an  enchanting  picture,  which  during  my  long  excursions  in  a  canoe 
in  these  regions  of  solitude  and  silence,  I  contemplated  with  unwearied 
admiration.  Beginning  at  Pittsburg,  and  even  some  miles  above  the 
junction  of  the  rivers  Alleghany  and  Monongahela,  White  Maples  12  or  15 
feet  in  circumference  are  continually  met  with  at  short  distances. 

The  trunk  of  this  tree  is  low  and  divides  into  a  great  number  of 
limbs  so  divergent,  that  they  form  a  head  more  spacious  than  that  of  any 
other  tree  with  which  I  am  acquainted.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the 
W'hite  Maple  is  found  on  the  banks  of  such  rivers  only  as  have  limpid 
waters  and  a  gravelly  bed,  and  never  in  swami)s  and  other  wet  grounds 
enclosed  in  forests,  where  the  soil  is  black  and  miry.  These  situations, 
on  the  contrary,  are  so  well  adapted  to  the  Red  Maple,  that  they  arc  fre- 
quently occupied   by  it   exclusively.     Hence  the  last  mentioned  species  is 


sinnatis^  itwe- 
'.  iipctalis, 

EimENDEno, 

en  confounded 
ic  Mountains, 
is  known  by 

I  those  of  the 
lern  points  at 
vegetables,  it 
r  reaches  the 
on  tlie  banks 
,  tliough  it  is 
parts  of  the 
es  is  it  more 
ts  vegetation 

great  rivers 
[nes  mingled 
tributes  sin- 
scene.  The 
•ast  with  the 
faces  in  the 
,  and  aids  in 
IS  in  a  canoe 
1  unwearied 

above  tlie 
Ics  12  or  15 

3S. 

number  of 
that  of  any 
rk,  that  the 
lave  limpid 
i'ct  grounds 
!  situations, 
ley  arc  frc- 
1  species  is 


/ 


/t-....v/   ,/,/ 


W  lulr    \l,i|,lr 

.  lit'/    (  /V,  U'tiri*fUN 


i'atf'fcl  ^t'tii: 


k 


will  ri:  M Ai'Li:. 


♦»7 


cnmmon  in  tlm  low  it  parts  of  llin  (-'iiroliniis  and  of  (Irorpiii,  wImtc  iIu' 
White  .Mii|il('  is  no  loiii^rr  seen  ;  for  fis  soon  .i>  tli!  rivers,  in  disrendincr 
from  the  mountains  towanls  (lie  oeean,  rcaeli  the  low  eminliy,  llicy  lie-in 
to  1)0  boriierccl  Uy  miry  swamps  covered  with  fliu  (.'ypress,  Hliiek^iim,  l.iir^e 

Tupelo,    etc. 

'I'iie  While  Maple  Mooius  early  in  tin'  spiiii'^':  its  llowcrs  aic  .small  and 
sessile  with  a  downy  oi'«//»'wi.  The  tVuit  is  lander  tljan  that  of  any  other 
species  whieh  i^rows  eust  ol'  the  Mississippi.  Il  eonsisls  oi'  two  eapsides 
joined  at  the  liase,  eaeli  of  whicii  encloses  one  roundish  seed,  and  is  termi- 
nated hy  a  iari^e  ni(Mni)ranaeeoiis,  falciloiiu  wiu'^.  In  Pennsylvania,  il  is  ripe 
ahout  the  1st  of  May,  ami  n  month  earlier  on  the  Savannah  river,  in  (ieor- 
pia.  At  this  period,  the  h  aves  which  iiave  attained  half  their  si/e  are  veiy 
downy  underneath  ;  a  month  later,  \vheii  fully  j^rown,  they  are  perfietly 
smooth.  They  are  ojipo^ite  and  siipporleil  liy  lon'4  petioles  ;  they  arc  divi- 
ded hy  deep  sinuses  into  four  lohes,  are  toollied  on  the  ed^^es,  of  a  bright 
green  on  tlie  upper  surface,  aiul  of  a  heaulilu!  white  beni'alh.  The  f(ilia;j,e, 
however,  is  scattered,  and  leaves  an  opeu  passage  to  the  sun  beams. 

Tlie  wood  of  this  Ma|>le  is  very  white,  and  of  a  tine  strain  ;  but  it  is 
softer  and  li^dlter  than  that  of  the  oilier  species  in  the  United  States,  and 
from  its  want  of  strenf>th  and  durability  il  is  little  used.  Wooden  bowls 
are  sometimes  made  of  it  when  Poplar  caenot  be  procured.  At  Pittsbur;^, 
and  in  the  neif^hborin;.^  towns,  it  serves  in  eabinel-maUin':;,  instead  of  llollv, 
for  inlayinjT  furniture  of  Maboif.my,  (-.'berry  tree,  and  Walnut:  thounli  as  it 
soon  clian<^es  color,  it  is  biss  fitted  for  this  purpose.  The  hatters  of  Pills- 
burg  prefer  the  charcoal  of  this  wood  to  every  other  for  heating  their  boil- 
ers, as  it  adbrds  a  heat  more  uniform,  and  of  longer  continuance.  Some 
of  the  inhabitants  on  the  Ohio  make  sugar  of  its  sap,  by  the  same  process 
Avhich  is  employed  with  the  Sugar  Maple.  Like  the  Ued  Maple,  it  yiidds 
but  half  the  product  from  a  given  measure  of  sa[) ;  but  the  unrefined  suj^ar 
is  whiter  and  more  agreeable  to  the  tasle  ihau  that  of  the  Sugar  Maple. 
The  sap  is  in  motion  earlier  in  this  species  than  in  the  Sugar  Maple,  begin- 
ning to  ascend  about  the  15th  of  January;  so  that  the  work  of  extracting 
the  sugar  is  sooner  completed.  'I'he  cellular  tissue  rapidly  produces  a  black 
precipitate  with  sulphate  of  iron. 

In  all  parts  of  the  United  Stales  where  this  tree  abounds,  many  others 
are  found  of  superior  value,  its  secondary  consequence  is  evinced  by  the 
unimportant  uses  to  which  it  is  devoted. 

In  Europe,  the  White  Maple  is  multiplied  in  nurseries  and  gardens. 
Its  rapid  growth  aflbrds  hopes  of  cultivating  it  with  profit  in  this  quarter  of 
the  world,  which  is  less  rich  in  Ihe  diversity  of  its  species.  In  forming 
plantations,  more  care  than  has  hitherto  been  taken,  should  be  paid  to  the 
choice  of  the  ground,  which  should  be  constantly  moist,  or  exposed  to 

m 


98 


RED    FLOWERING    MAPLE. 


aiiiuiiil  iiuiiulatioiis:  in  such  situiitious  its  vegetaliou  would  be  surprisingly 
beautil'ul  aud  rapid. 

PLATE  XL. 

A  branch  with  leaves  of  the  natural  size.    Fip;.  1,  Burrcnjlowers.    Fig.  2, 
Ftrlilcjloiccrs.     Fig.  3,  ,^  seed  of  the  nulurul  size. 

[For  measurements  of  several  White  Maples  sec  Emkkson's  Trees  and 
Shrubs  of  Massaehusetts,  p.  489.] 


IIKD  FLOWERING   MAPLE. 


AcKR  RUDRUM.  A.fo/Hs  oppositis,  trilobis,  inicipialiler  dciitalis,  siiblus  glaucis: 
Jloribiis  rubris,  aggrigatis;  germinc  gluberriino  ;  umbcUis  scssilibiis:  cap- 
sit/is  rubris,  peduncululis, 

DiFKKRKNT  namcs  are  gi.  Ji:  to  this  tree  in  diflerent  parts  of  the  TInitcd 
States  :  east  of  the  Alleghany  IMounlains,  it  is  called  Red-flowering  Maple, 
Swamp  Maple  and  Soft  Maple  ;  in  the  Western  Country,  sinii)ly  Maple. 
The  first  denomination,  which  is  most  generally  in  use,  is  also  most  appro- 
priate, as  the  young  shoots,  the  (lowers,  and  the  fruit  arc  red. 

To'vni'l  the  North,  the  Red-llowering  Maple  appears  first  about  Male- 
haye,  in  Canada,  in  the  latitude  48°  ;  but  it  soon  becomes  more  common 
in  proceeding  southward,  and  is  Ibund  .abundant  to  the  extremities  of  Flo- 
rida and  Lowur  Louisiana.  Of  all  the  trees  which  flourish  in  wet  grounds 
occasionally  overllowed,  this  species  is  most  multiplied  in  the  Middle  and 
Southern  States.  It  occupies,  in  great  part,  the  borders  of  tiie  creeks,  and 
abounds  in  all  the  swamps  which  are  often  inundated,  and  always  miry. 
In  these  situations,  it  is  accomjKUiied  by  the  iJlaclcgum,  Sweetgum,  Shell- 
bark  Hickory,  Swamp  White  Oak,  Black  Ash  and  White  Ash.  To  these 
are  added,  in  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  the  Small  Magnolia  or  Swamp 
Bay,  the  Water  Oak,  Loblolly  Bay,  Tupelo,  rnid  Red  Bay.  It  is  a  remark- 
able fact,  that  v>-est  of  the  mountains,  between  Brownsville  and  Pittsburg, 
the  Red-llowering  Maple  is  seen  growing  on  elevated  ground  with  the  Oaks 


I 


•v. 


I.  E. 


ifould  be  suipiLsiiigly 


rrenjloircrs.    Fig.  2 


mkhson's  Trees  and 


'alls,  sub/us  g/micis: 
His  sessilibus:  cap- 


arts  of  the  United 
id-flowering  Maple, 
;ry,  simply  Maple, 
is  also  most  uppro- 
ire  red. 

first  about  Male- 
les  more  common 
extremities  of  Flo- 
lisli  in  wet  grounds 
in  the  Middle  and 
of  the  creeks,  and 
and  always  miry. 
Sweetgiim,  Shell- 
e  Ash.  To  these 
ignolia  or  Swamp 
y.  It  is  a  reniark- 
ille  and  Pittsburg, 
und  with  the  Oaks 


HI  < 

11 


h'f 


RED     KLOWEUrNC     MAPLE. 


!)n 


and  the  Waliuils.  \  liuvo  nowlit  rr  oli.scivfd  i(  of  us  iiiinilc  (liiiicnsinns  us 
in  Ponnsylvaniu  uml  .Ni:\v  .Irisi'v  :  in  tlicsi'  Status  exist  cxtciisivi!  inarslirs, 
rallcil  !\Ia|)l('  s\vaiiii)s,  fvclusivi'ly  covcicil  witli  it,  wlien;  it  is  I'oinul  70 
feet  lii<v!i  and  -i  or  4  feet  in  diamcler. 

The  Red-floweiino;  Maple  is  the  eailiest  tree  -whose  bloom  announces 
the  return  of  spiiniT;  it  is  in  llowcr  near  Xcw  York  from  the  10th  to  the 
15th  of  April.  The  hlossoms,  of  a  beautifully  deep  red,  unfold  more  than 
a  fortniij;ht  before  the  leaves.  They  are  sessile,  ar;G;rep;ate,  and  situated 
at  the  extremity  of  the  branches.  The  fruit  is  susj)ended  by  lon<f  tle\i- 
ble  peduncles  and  is  of  the  .same  hue  with  the  llowcrs,  though  it  varies  in 
size  and  in  the  intensity  of  its  coloring,  according  to  the  exposure  and 
dampness  of  the  soil.  'J"he  leaves  are  smaller  than  those  of  the  preceding 
species,  l)ut  in  some  respects  they  resemble  them.  They  are  glaucous  or 
■whitish  underneath,  and  are  palmated  or  divided  into  3  or  4  acuminate 
lobes,  irregularly  toothed.  The  extremities  of  this  tree,  which  are  funned 
by  numerous  twigs  united  at  the  base,  have  a  remarkalile  appearance  when 
garnished  with  flowers  and  seeds  of  a  deep  red,  belbrc  vegetation  has 
begun  generally  to  revive. 

IJefore  the  Red-llowering  Maple  exceeds  25  or  30  feet  in  height  and  7 
or  8  inches  in  diameter,  its  bark  is  perfectly  smooth,  and  marked  with 
white  blotches,  Ijy  which  it  is  easily  distinguishable.  Afterwards,  the 
trunk,  like  that  of  the  While  Oak  and  Swielgum,  becomes  brown  and  chap- 
ped. In  this  tree,  as  in  others  which  grow  in  wet  jthices,  the  sap  bears  a 
large  proportion  to  the  heart,  if  indeed  the  name  of  heart  can  properly  be 
given  to  the  irregular  star  which  occupies  the  centre  of  large  trunks,  with 
points  from  1  to  3  inches  in  lenglli  projecting  into  the  sap. 

The  wood  of  the  Red-llowering  Maple  is  ai)plica!)lc  to  interesting 
uses.  It  is  liarder  than  that  of  the  White  Maple,  and  of  a  finer  and  closer 
grain:  hence  it  is  easily  wrought  in  the  lathe,  and  accpiires  by  polishing  a 
glossy  and  silken  surface.  It  is  sufliciently  solid,  and  for  many  jjurposes 
it  is  preferred  by  workmen  to  other  kinds  of  wood.  It  is  principally  employ- 
ed for  the  lower  part  of  Windsor  chairs  :  the  pieces  are  turned  in  the  coun- 
try, and  so  considerable  is  the  demand,  that  boats  laden  with  them  arrive 
at  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  where  an  extensive  manufacture  is  cariied 
on,  lor  the  consumption  of  the  neighboring  towns,  and  for  exportation  to 
the  Southern  States  and  to  the  West  India  Islands.  The  whole  frame  of 
japanned  chairs  is  of  this  wood,  except  the  back,  for  which  Hickory  is  cho- 
sen on  account  of  its  superior  strength  and  elasticity.  The  fraine,  the 
nave,  and  the  spokes  of  spinning  wheels  are  made  of  it:  at  Philadelphia 
it  is  exclusively  employed  for  saddle  trees,  and  in  the  country  it  is  preferred 
for  yokes,  and  a'so  for  shovels  and  wooden  dishes,  which  are  brought  to 
market,  and  purchased  by  the  dealers  in  wooden  ware. 

It  sometimes  happens  that,  in  very  old  trees,  the  grain,  instead  of  fol- 


100 


RED   FLOWEUINC;   AIAPLI-: 


lowing  a  perpendicular  direction,  is  undulated,  and  this  variety  bears  the 
name  of  Curled  Maple.  'I'liis  sin'j;ular  arran'^einent,  of  which  F  am  al)le  to 
assign  no  cause,  is  never  wilnesseil  in  young  trees,  nor  in  the  branches  of 
such  as  exhiijit  it  in  the  trunk  :  it  is  also  less  conspicuous  at  the  centre  than 
near  the  circumfen  lice.  Trees  ollining  this  disposition  are  rare,  and  do 
not  exist  in  the  proportion  of  one  to  a  huiubed.  The  serpentine  direction 
of  the  fibre,  which  renders  them  diilicult  to  split  and  to  work,  produces  in 
the  hands  of  a  skilful  mechanic,  the  most  beautiful  elFccts  of  light  and 
shade.  These  cU'ects  are  rendered  more  striking  if,  after  smoothing  the 
surface  of  the  wood  with  a  double-ironed  plane,  it  is  rubbed  with  a  little 
sulphuric  acid,  and  afterwards  anointed  w  ilh  linseed  oil.  On  examining 
it  attentively,  the  varying  shades  are  found  to  bt;  owing  entirely  to  the 
inllcction  of  the  rays  of  light ;  which  is  more  sensibly  perceived  in  view- 
ing it  in  dillcrent  directions  by  candle  light. 

Jiefore  Mahogany  became  generally  fashionable  in  the  United  States, 
the  most  beautiful  furniture  was  of  Red-flowering  Maple,  and  bedsteads 
are  still  made  of  it,  which  in  richness  of  lustre,  exceed  the  finest  Maho- 
gany. At  Boston  some  cabinet-makers  saw  it  into  thin  plates  for  inlaying 
IMahogany.  JUitthe  most  constant  use  of  the  Curled  ^laple  is  for  (hi-  stocks 
of  fowling  pieces  and  rilles,  wliicli  to  elegance  and  lightness  unite  a  solid- 
ity resulting  from  the  accidental  direclion  of  the  fibre. 

The  cellular  tissue  of  the  Red-llowering  Maple  is  of  a  dusky  red.  By 
boiling,  it  yields  a  purplish  color,  which  on  the  addition  of  sulphate  of 
iron,  becomes  dark  blue  approaching  to  black.  It  is  used  in  the  country, 
with  a  certain  portion  of  alum  in  solution,  for  dyeing  black. 

The  wood  "(  the  Red-dowcring  Maple  does  not  burn  well,  and  is  so  lit- 
tle esteemed  for  fuel  that  it  is  rarely  brought  into  the  cities. 

The  French  Canadians  mnke  sugar  from  the  sap  of  this  Maple,  which 
they  call  I'/aine,  but,  as  in  the  preceding  species,  the  product  of  a  given 
measure  is  only  half  as  great  as  is  obtained  from  the  Sugar  Maple. 

It  should  be  observed  that  the  Red-flowering  Maple  never  attains  its  full 
dimensions  except  in  swamps  where  the  bottom  is  composed  of  fertile  soil. 
When  the  po[)ulatiun  of  the  country  becomes  denser,  these  tracts  will  be. 
cleared  and  improved  by  some  mode  of  culture  more  profitai)le  than  the 
growth  of  woods,  and  especially  of  this  species,  which  is  (it  neilher  for  the 
uses  of  the  wheelwright  nor  for  any  other  solid  work;  for  it  possesses  little 
.strength,  is  liable  to  uijuiy  from  worms,  and  ferments  and  speedily  decays 
when  exposed  to  the  alternations  of  dryness  and  moisture.  Though  at 
present  it  is  extensively  used,  its  importance  in  the  arts  is  not  such  as  to 
*iiatle  i  *o  preservation,  and  it  will  doubtless  one  day  become  rare. 
When  the  period  arrives  that  it  is  necessary  in  the  United  States,  as  in 
Eunpc,  to  renew  the  forests,  or  to  preserve  those  \vhic!i  have  escaped  de- 
blruction,  the  American  Forester  will  hnd  among  the  Uak.!i,  the  Walnuts, 


variety  bcnrs  the 
vliich  I  am  al)le  to 
1  tlic  l)iaiicli(is  of 
at  the  cenue  than 
are  rare,  and  do 
rpentine  direction 
work,  produces  in 
bets  of  liojit  and 
er  smoothing  tiie 
bbed  with  a  little 
.  On  examining 
Iff  entirely  to  the 
-•rceived  in  view- 

e  United  States, 
e,  and  bedsteads 
the  finest  IMaho- 
ilates  for  inlaying 
c  is  for  (hi'  stocks 
ess  unite  a  solid- 

i  dusky  red.     By 

on  of  sulphate  of 

d  in  the  country, 

;k. 

■oil,  and  is  so  lit- 


! 


1 


lis  Maple,  which 
oduct  of  a  given 
•  Maple. 

er  attains  its  full 
,'d  of  fertile  soil. 
>e  tracts  will  be 
■ofilablo  than  the 
il  ncilluM'  for  the 
it  possesses  little 
speedily  decays 
ire.  Though  at 
s  not  such  as  to 
y  become  rare, 
cd  States,  as  in 
ive  escaped  de- 
:s,  the  Walnuts, 


//^..  ' 


H  J  Jln/rn,  JJ 


Sii<^;u'  .\|;inl(\ 

III/  .<,/,  I ,'itu tn/i/n 


/'>  ..■ 


(■•'fnW  ,;,//^r 


SH(JA  II    M  A  I'  l.i:. 


101 


nml  tlie  Ashe**,  many  spceips  more  <lesrrvin!T  of  lii.;  r.nrc.  '\'\u'  Si|i^;ir  ^^il- 
plo  also  will  1)C  picfoni'd,  wliicli  '^nnvs  on  nplainls,  aixl  possesses  in  as 
su[)C'iioi  (k'l^ioo  nil  llic  (jooii  piopeilies  ol  liic  n'liec.  l'"r(Hii  iIicnc  eoiisid- 
erations,  lliu  Uei!  i!o\veiiii<;  Maplo  appears  lo  Imve  no  pieteusiciis  to  a 
place  ill  Kuiopeaii  loiests.* 

PLATi:  \T,r. 

,^  brnnrh  irilh  Iriirrs  nftlic  tialidtil  nizr.     /Vir.  1,  Jlarrnijfiuurri.     /'!ir.  1, 
Fertile  Flowers.     Fig.  3,  Seeds  oj'lhc  luilnrul  ••^izr. 


su(i  All  M  \  imj:. 


AcF.ii   SArciiAKiMM.     A.    Jd/iis  (ii(iii<iur-j)iirt!/n-j)iiliniilis,  a-lnhils,  uiargine 
iiilegrii,  aitOlus  gluitcis :  Jluriljiis  /n  (Imirn/alii,  jientlenlilnis. 

Tins  spf  -ii's,  t!;'  most  iutcrestin|^  of  the  Aiiieiicaii  Maples,  is  called 
Roclc  iNlaji'  ,  Hard  Maple,  and  Siij^ai'  Maple.  Tlie  first  of  these  names  is 
most  geni  llv  in  use,  bul  I  have  presi^rved  the  last,  because  it  iudioalus 
one  of  ihe  nio     valuable  prnportios  of  the  tree. 

According  to  my  father's  researche'i  into  the  topography  of  American 
vegetaldes,  the  Sugar  Maple  begins  a  little  iiortli  of  Lake  St.  John,  in 
Canada,  near  the  4Stli  degree  of  latitude,  which,  in  the  rigor  of  its  winter, 
corresponds  to  the  GSth  degree  in  Kuro|)e.  It  is  nowhere  more  abundant; 
than  between  the  Kith  and  43il  degrees,  which  comprise  Canada,  New 
Brunswick',  Nova  Scotia,  the  States  of  Vermont  and  New  1  lani[)sliire,  and 
the  District  of  M.iine  ;  in  these  regions  it  enters  largely  into  the  composi- 
tion of  the  forests  with  which  they  are  still  covered.  Further  south,  it  is 
common  only  in  Genesee,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  in  the  upper 
parts  of  Pennsylvania.  It  is  estimated  by  Dr.  Hush,  that,  in  the  northein 
parts  of  these  two  States,  there  are  ten  million  of  acres  which  pnnluce 
these  trees  in  the  pi-oportion  of  thirty  to  an  acre.  Indeed,  I  have  noticed, 
in  traversing  these  districts,  largo  masses  of  woods  formed  of  them  almost 
exclusively.     In  Genesee,  however,  a  great  part  of  the  Maples  belong  to  a 

*  [Sec  Emerson's  Trees  and  Slirnl)s  of  !\I,issacIiusetts  liir  some  adilitioniil  |)!irtieulars,  nn<l  l^)r 
remarks  on  lliu  autumnal  color  of  kuvcs,  in  wliicli  it  is  asserted  that  frusl  has  very  little  iiitlii- 
ence  on  thcin.] 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

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SUGAR   MAPLE 


species  which  I  sliall  dcscriln',  which  has  hitherto  been  confounded  by 
liotanists  with  the  Suii;;ii'  Mnplc. 

In  the  lower  pails  of  \'ii;i,inia,  of  tlie  (i'arollnas,  and  of  fJeor^ia,  and 
likewise  in  tin;  iMississippi  Turiilorv,  this  tree  is  unknown  or  very  rare.  It 
is  rapidly  disappearing  from  the  forests  about  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
where  it  is  no  longer  drained  for  sugar,  but  is  felled  for  fuel  and  other 
purposes. 

Between  the  parallels  mentioned  as  bounding  the  tracts  where  this  tree 
is  most  abundant,  the  forests  do  not  resemble  those  of  a  more  southern 
latitude  ;  they  are  composed  of  two  diderent  descriptions  of  trees  divided 
into  two  great  classes,  which  alternately  occupy  the  soil,  and  which  exist 
in  nearly  equal  proportions.  The  first  class  comprises  the  resinous  trees, 
such  as  Pines  and  Spruces,  and  covers  the  low  grounds  and  the  bottoms  of 
tlie  valleys  ;  these  forests  are  called  li/ack  nood  hauls.  The  second  class 
consists  of  leafy  trees,  such  as  the  Sugar  JVIaple,  the  White  and  the  Red 
Beech,  the  ]5irches  and  the  Ashes,  of  which  the  Sugar  Maple  is  most  multi- 
plied. They  grow  on  level  grounds  or  on  gentle  declivities,  and  form  what 
are  denominated  Hard  nood  lands.  In  proceeding  from  the  4Glh  degree  of 
latitude  northward,  the  trees  of  the  second  class  are  observed  to  become 
more  rare,  and  the  resinous  trees  in  the  same  proportion  more  abundant : 
below  the  43(1  degree,  on  tlie  other  hand,  the  resinous  trees  are  found  less 
common,  and  the  others  lose  their  picdominance  in  the  forests,  as  they  be- 
come mingled  with  the  numerous  species  of  Oaks  and  Walnuts. 

The  Sugar  Maple  covers  a  greater  extent  of  the  American  soil  than  any 
other  species  of  this  genus.  It  llourishes  most  in  mountainous  places, 
wlune  the  soil  though  fertile  is  cold  and  humid.  Beside  the  parts  which 
I  have  particularly  mentioned,  where  the  face  of  the  co\intry  is  generally 
of  this  nature,  it  is  found  along  the  whole  chain  of  the  Alleghanies  to  their 
termination  in  Georgia,  and  on  the  steep  and  shady  banks  of  the  rivers 
which  rise  in  these  mountains. 

The  Sugar  Maple  reaches  the  height  of  70  or  SO  feet,  with  a  proportional 
diameter;  but  it  does  not  commonly  exceed  50  or  60  feet,  with  a  diameter 
of  12  or  18  inches.  Well  grown,  thriving  trees  are  beautiful  in  their 
appearance,  and  easily  distinguishable  by  the  whiteness  of  their  bark. 
The  leaves  are  about  five  inches  broad,  but  they  vary  in  length  according 
to  the  age  and  vigor  of  the  tree.  They  are  opposite,  attached  by  long 
petioles,  palmated  and  unequally  divided  into  5  lobes,  entire  at  the  edges, 
of  a  bri'dit  oreen  above,  and  glaucous  or  whitish  underneath.  In  autumn, 
they  turn  reddish  with  the  first  frosts.  Except  in  the  color  of  the  lower 
surface,  they  nearly  resemble  the  Norway  ]\Iaple.  The  flowers  are  small, 
yellowish  and  suspended  by  slender,  drooping  peduncles.  The  seed  is 
contained  in  two  capsules  united  at  base  and  terminated  by  a  membranous 
wing.     It  is  ripe  near  New  York  in  the  beginning  of  October,  though  the 


leen  confounded  by 

iid  of  (Jeorn-ia,  and 
)\vn  or  very  rare.  It 
k  and  Pliiladelpbia, 
1  for  fuel  and  other 

acts  wliere  this  tree 

of  a  more  southern 
3ns  of  trees  divided 
)il,  and  which  exist 
!  the  resinous  trees, 

and  the  bottoms  of 
Tlie  second  chnss 
White  and  the  Red 
laple  is  most  multi- 
ties,  and  form  what 

the  4Gth  degree  of 
)served  to  become 
n  more  abundant : 
rees  are  found  less 
forests,  as  they  be- 
"alnuts. 

ican  soil  than  any 
)untainous  places, 
le  the  parts  which 
luntry  is  generally 
eghanies  to  their 

nks  of  the  rivers 

|ith  a  proportional 
with  a  diameter 

|eautiful  in  their 
of  their  bark, 
ength  accordinjT 
tached  by  long 

lire  at  the  edges, 
Ih.  In  autumn, 
n'  of  the  lower 
wers  are  small, 
The  seed  is 
a  membranous 
ber,  though  the 


SUGAR    MAPLE. 


103 


capsules  attain  their  full  size  six  weeks  earlier.  Externally,  they  appear 
equally  })erfect,  but  I  have  constantly  found  one  of  them  empty.  The 
fruit  is  matured  only  once  in  two  or  three  years. 

The  wood  when  cut  is  white,  but  after  being  wrought  and  exposed  for 
some  time  to  the  light,  it  takes  a  rosy  tinge.  Its  grain  is  fine  and  close, 
and  when  polished  it  has  a  silkei\  lustre.  It  is  vi.n  stmn';'  iitul  sullirirnlly 
heavy,  but  wants  the  proimitv  of  durability,  for  wliirU  t!i':  Chrsnut  and 
tlie  Oak  arc  so  jiigldy  c-.t('iMn''d.  \Vhen  r\ posed  to  lunisture  it  soon 
decays,  and  for  this  reason  it  is  neglected  in  civil  and  naval  architecture. 
In  Vermont,  New  Hampshire,  the  District  of  i\Iaine,  and  further  north, 
where  the  Oak  is  not  plentiful,  this  timber  is  substituted  for  it,  in  prefer- 
ence to  the  Beech,  the  Birch,  and  the  .Elm.  When  perfectly  seasoned, 
which  requires  two  or  three  years,  it  is  used  by  wheelwrights  for  axle-trees 
and  spokes,  and  for  lining  the  runners  of  common  sleds.  It  is  also  em- 
ployed, as  well  as  the  Red-flowering  Maple,  in  the  JNIanufacture  of  Wind- 
sor chairs.  In  the  country,  where  the  houses  are  wholly  of  wood.  Sugar 
Maple  timber  is  admitted  into  the  frame  ;  and  in  the  District  of  Maine,  it 
is  preferred  to  the  Beech  for  the  keels  of  vessels,  as  it  furnishes  longer 
pieces :  with  the  Beech  and  the  Yellow  Pine,  it  forms  also  the  lower  frame, 
which  is  always  in  the  water. 

This  wood  exhibits  two  accidental  forms  in  the  arrangement  of  the  fibre, 
of  which  cabinet-makers  take  advantage  for  obtaining  beautiful  articles  of 
furniture.  The  fust  consists  in  undulations  like  those  of  the  curled  Maple, 
the  second,  which  takes  place  in  old  trees  which  are  still  sound,  and 
which  appears  to  arise  from  an  inllexion  of  the  fii)re  from  the  circumfer- 
ence toward  the  centre,  produces  spots  of  half  a  line  in  diameter,  some- 
times contiguous,  and  sometimes  several  lines  apart.  The  more  numerous 
the  spots,  the  more  beautiful  and  the  more  esteemed  is  the  wood  ;  this 
variety  is  called  Bird's-eye  Maple.  Like  the  Curled  Maple,  it  is  used  for 
inlaying  Mahogany.  Bedsteads  are  made  of  it,  and  portable  writing  desks, 
which  are  elegant  and  highly  prized.  To  obtain  the  finest  ell'ect,  the  log 
should  be  sawn  in  a  direction  as  nearly  as  possible  parallel  to  the  con- 
centric circles. 

When  cut  at  the  proper  season,  the  Sugar  IMaple  forms  excellent  fuel. 
It  is  exported  from  the  District  of  Maine  for  the  consumption  of  Boston, 
and  is  equally  esteemed  with  the  Hickory.  The  opinion  entertained  of  it 
in  this  respect,  in  the  North  of  America,  accords  with  the  interesting  expe- 
riments of  Mr.  Ilartig  on  the  comparative  heat  afforded  by  different  species 
of  European  wood,  from  which  it  results,  that  the  Sycamore,  Jlcer  ■jiscudo- 
■plutanus,  is  superior  to  every  other. 

The  ashes  of  the  Sugar  Maple  are  rich  in  the  alkaline  principle,  and  it 
may  be  confidently  asserted,  that  ihcy  furnish  four-fifths  of  the  potash  ex- 
ported to  Europe  from  Boston  and  New  York. 


lot 


•SUGAll    MAPLE. 


In  the  i'oigcs  of  Vermont  and  the  District  of  Maine,  tlio  charcoal  of  this 
wood  is  preferred  to  any  other,  and  it  is  said  to  he  onc-filih  heavier  than 
the  coal  made  from  the  same  species  in  the  INFiddic  and  Sonthcrn  States  : 
a  fact  which  sufTiciently  evinces  that  this  Maple  acquires  its  characteristic 
properties  in  perfection,  only  in  northern  climates. 

The  wood  of  the  Sutfnr  Mii})le  is  easily  distinguished  from  that  of  the 
lled-dowcring  Maple,  which  it  resembles  in  appearance,  by  its  weight  and 
hardness.  There  is,  besides,  a  very  simple  and  certain  test :  a  few  drops 
of  sulphate  of  iron  being  poured  on  samples  of  the  dilFerent  species,  tlie 
Sugar  Maple  turns  greenish,  and  the  White  Maple  and  Red-llowering 
Maple  change  to  a  deep  blue. 


The  extraction  of  Sugar  from  the  Maple  is  a  valuable  resource  in  a 
country,  where  all  classes  of  society  make  daily  use  of  tea  and  colfee. 

The  process  by  which  it  is  obtained  is  very  simple,  and  is  every  where 
nearly  the  same.  Thougii  not  essentially  defective,  it  might  be  improved 
and  made  more  profitable  by  adopting  hints  which  have  been  thrown 
out  in  American  publications. 

The  work  is  commonly  taken  in  hand  in  the  month  of  February,  or  in 
the  beginning  of  March,  while  the  cold  continues  intense,  and  the  ground 
is  still  covered  with  snow.  The  sap  begins  to  be  in  motion  at  this  season, 
two  months  before  the  general  revival  of  vegetation.  In  a  central  situa- 
tion, lying  convenient  to  the  trees  from  which  the  sap  is  drawn,  a  shed  is 
constructed,  called  a  sugar  camp,  which  is  destined  to  shelter  the  boilers 
and  the  persons  who  tend  them,  from  the  weather.  An  auger  ?  of  an  inch 
in  diameter,  small  troughs  to  receive  the  sap,  tubes  of  Elder  or  Sumac,  8 
or  10  inches  long,  corresponding  in  size  to  the  auger,  and  laid  open  for  a 
part  of  their  length,  buckets  for  emptying  the  troughs  and  conveying  the 
sap  to  the  camp,  boilers  of  15  or  18  gallons  capacity,  moulds  to  receive 
the  sirup  when  reduced  to  a  proper  consistency  for  being  formed  into 
cakes,  and  lastly,  axes  to  cut  and  split  the  fuel,  are  the  principal  utensils 
employed  in  the  operation. 

The  trees  are  perforated  in  an  obliquely  ascending  direction,  18  or  20 
inches  from  the  ground,  with  two  holes  4  or  5  inches  apart.  Care  should 
be  taken  that  the  augers  do  not  enter  more  than  half  an  inch  within  the 
wood,  as  experience  has  shown  the  most  abundant  flow  of  sap  to  take  place 
at  this  depth.  It  is  also  recommended  to  insert  the  tubes  on  the  south  side 
of  the  tree  ;  but  this  useful  hint  is  not  always  attended  to. 

The  troughs,  which  contain  2  or  3  gallons,  are  made,  in  the  Northern 
Slates,  of  White  Pine,  of  While  or  Black  Oak,  or  of  Maple  ;  on  the  Ohio, 


SUGAR    IMAPLE. 


105 


le  charcoal  of  this 

-filth  heavier  than 

1  Southern  States : 

its  characteristic 

from  that  of  the 

by  its  weiglit  and 

test :  a  few  drops 

IFerent  species,  the 

ind  Red-llowering 


able  resource  in  a 
ea  and  colfee. 
ind  is  every  where 
night  be  improved 
lave  been  thrown 

of  February,  or  in 
se,  and  the  ground 
tion  at  this  season, 
In  a  central  situa- 
s  drawn,  a  shed  is 
shelter  the  boilers 
auger  ?  of  an  inch 
Elder  or  Sumac,  8 
nd  laid  open  for  a 
nd  conveying  the 
noulds  to  receive 
eing  formed  into 
principal  utensils 

lircction,  18  or  20 

jart.     Care  should 

In  inch  within  the 

sap  to  ttikc  place 

on  the  south  side 

in  the  Northern 
lie ;  on  the  Ohio, 


the  Mulberry,  which  is  very  abundant,  is  preferred.  The  Chesnut,  the 
Hiack  Walnut,  and  the  Uutternut,  slioulil  be  rejected,  as  they  impart  to  the 
liquid  the  coloring  matter  and  bitter  principle  with  which  they  arc  im- 
pregnated. 

A  trough  is  placed  on  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  each  tree,  and  the  sap  is 
every  day  collected  and  temporarily  poured  into  casks,  from  which  it  is 
drawn  out  to  fill  tlie  boilers.  The  evaporation  is  lve])t  up  by  a  brisk  fire, 
and  tlie  scum  is  carefully  taken  oil' during  this  part  of  the  process.  Fresh 
snp  is  added  from  lime  to  time,  and  the  lieat  is  maintained  till  the  licpiid  is 
reduced  to  a  sirup,  after  which  it  is  left  to  cool,  and  then  strained  through 
a  blanket  or  other  woolen  shill",  to  separate  the  remaining  impurities. 

Some  persons  recommend  leaving  the  sirup  twelve  hours  before  boiling 
it  for  the  last  time  ;  others  proceed  with  it  immediately.  In  either  case, 
the  boilers  are  only  half  fdled,  and,  by  an  active,  steaily  heat,  the  liquor  is 
rapidly  reduced  to  the  proper  consistency  for  being  poured  into  the  moulds. 
The  evaporation  is  known  to  have  proceeded  far  enough  when,  upon  rub- 
bing a  drop  of  the  sirup  between  the  fingers,  it  is  perceived  to  be  granu- 
lar. If  it  is  in  danger  of  boiling  over,  a  bit  of  lard  or  of  butter  is  thrown 
into  it,  which  instantly  calms  the  ebullition.  Tlie  melasses  being  drained 
ofTfrom  the  moulds,  the  sugar  is  no  longer  deliquescent,  like  the  raw  sugar 
of  the  West  Indies. 

Maple  Sugar  manufactured  in  this  way  is  light  colored,  in  proportion  to 
the  care  with  which  it  is  made,  and  the  judgment  with  which  the  evap- 
oration is  conducted.  It  is  superior  to  the  brown  sugar  of  the  Colonies, 
at  least,  to  such  as  is  generally  used  in  the  United  States ;  its  taste  is  as 
pleasant,  and  it  is  as  good  for  culinary  purposes.  When  refined,  it  equals 
in  beauty  the  finest  sugar  consumed  in  Europe.  It  is  made  use  of,  how- 
ever, only  in  the  districts  where  it  is  made,  and  there  only  in  the  country  ; 
from  prejudice  or  taste,  imported  sugar  is  used  in  all  the  small  towns,  and 
in  the  inns. 

The  sap  continues  to  flow  for  six  weeks,  after  which  it  becomes  less 
abundant,  less  rich  in  saccharine  matter,  and  sometimes  even  incapable  of 
crystalization.  In  this  case,  it  is  consumed  in  the  state  of  melasses,  which 
is  superior  to  that  of  the  Islands.  After  three  or  four  days'  exposure  to 
the  sun.  Maple  sap  is  converted  into  vinegar  by  the  acetous  fermentation. 

In  a  periodical  work  published  at  Philadelphia  several  years  since,  the 
following  receipt  is  given  for  making  Sugar  Maple  beer :  Upon  4  gallons 
of  boiling  water  pour  one  quart  of  Maple  melasses ;  add  a  little  yeast  or 
leaven  to  excite  the  fermentation,  and  a  spoonful  of  the  essence  of  spruce  ; 
a  very  pleasant  and  salutary  drink  is  thus  obtained. 

The  process  which  I  have  described  for  extracting  the  sugar  is  the  most 
common  one,  and  it  is  the  same  from  whatever  species  of  Maple  the  sugar 
is  made. 


14 


106 


SIKJAR   MAPLE. 


!   i 


Tliu  ainoimt  of  sii!j;iir  manufactured  in  a  year  varies  from  diireient  causes. 
A  cold  and  dry  winter  renders  the  trees  more  productive  than  a  chanj^e- 
able  and  liumid  season.  It  is  observed,  that  wlien  a  frosty  nii^lit  is  follow- 
ed by  a  dry  and  brilUant  day,  the  sap  dows  abundantly ;  and  2  or  3  gallons 
are  sonu-tiines  yielded  by  a  single  tree  in  twenty-four  hours.  Tlu'ce  per- 
sons are  inund  suHlcient  to  tend  •2~){)  trees,  which  give  lOOO  pounds  of  su- 
gar, or  4  pounds  from  each  tree.  IJut  this  product  is  not  uniform,  for  many 
farmers  on  the  Ohio  liave  assured  me,  that,  they  did  not  commonly  obtain 
more  than  2  pounds  from  a  tree. 

Trees  which  grow  in  low  and  moist  places  afford  a  greater  quantity  of 
sap  than  those  which  occupy  rising  grounds,  but  it  is  less  rich  in  the  sac- 
charine principle.  That  of  insulated  trees,  left  standing  in  the  middle  of 
fields  or  by  the  side  of  fences,  is  the  best.  It  is  also  remarked,  that  in 
districts  which  have  been  cleared  of  other  trees,  and  even  of  the  less  vig- 
orous Sugar  Maple,  the  product  of  the  remainder  is,  proportionally,  most 
considerable. 

While  I  resided  in  Pittsburg,  the  following  curious  particulars  appeared 
in  the  Greensburg  Gazette  :  "  Having  introduced,"  says  the  writer,  "twenty 
tubes  into  a  Sugar  Maple,  I  drew  from  it  the  same  day  23  gallons  and  3 
(piarts  of  sap,  which  gave  11  pounds  of  sugar;  33  pounds  have  been  made 
this  season  from  the  same  tree  ;  which  supposes  100  gallons  of  sap."  It 
appears  here,  that  only  a  little  more  than  3  gallons  was  required  for  a 
pound,  though  4  are  commonly  allowed. 

In  the  foregoing  experiments,  5  quarts  were  drawn  in  one  day  from  each 
tube,  wiiich  is  about  equal  to  the  quantity  discharged  when  two  pipes  are 
employed.  Might  it  not  hence  be  concluded,  that  the  sap  escapes  only 
from  the  orifices  of  the  vessels,  which  have  been  divided  by  the  auger, 
without  being  diverted  to  this  issue  from  the  neighboring  parts  ?  I  am 
the  more  inclined  to  this  opinion,  as  in  rambling  one  day,  in  the  profound 
solitude  of  the  forests,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  the  idea  suggested  itself 
to  me  of  cutting  into  a  Maple  which  had  been  bored  the  preceding  year, 
I  found,  amid  the  white  mass  of  its  wood,  a  green  column,  equal  in  width 
and  in  depth  to  the  hole  beneath.  The  organization  appeared  not  to  be 
affected  ;  but  this  is  not  sufficient  to  warrant  the  conclusion,  that  these 
vessels  would  be  in  condition  to  give  passage  to  the  sap  the  succeeding 
year.  It  may  be  objected,  that  trees  have  been  drained  for  30  years,  with- 
out diminution  of  their  produce.  But  a  tree  of  2  or  3  feet  in  diameter  pre- 
sents an  extensive  surface,  and  the  tubes  are  every  year  shifted ;  besides, 
the  successive  layers  of  30  or  40  years  would  restore  it  nearly  to  the  state 
of  one  that  never  had  been  perforated. 

In  the  United  States,  Maple  sugar  is  made  in  the  greatest  quantities  in 
the  upper  part  of  New  Hampshire,  in  Vermont,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
particularly  in  Genesee,  and  in  the  counties  of  Pennsylvania  which  lie  oa 


from  diirerent  causes. 
:tive  than  a  cliati<,'c- 
Vosty  night  is  ibllow- 
■ ;  and  2  or  3  {rallons 
•  hours.  Tlueo  pcr- 
c  1000  i)ounds  ol' su- 
ot  uniform,  for  niimy 
not  commonly  obtain 

a  greater  quantity  of 
less  rich  in  the  sac- 
ing  in  the  middle  of 
50  remarked,  that  in 
even  of  the  less  vig- 
proportionally,  most 

particulars  appeared 
s  the  writer,  "twenty 
lay  23  gallons  and  3 
inds  have  been  made 
gallons  of  sap."  It 
IS  was  required  for  a 

in  one  day  from  each 

when  two  pipes  are 

the  sap  escapes  only 

vidod  by  the  auger, 

oring  parts  ?     I  am 

[day,  in  the  profound 

idea  suggested  itself 

the  preceding  year, 

umn,  equal  in  width 

appeared  not  to  be 

nclusion,  that  these 

sap  the  succeeding 

for  30  years,  wilh- 

ect  in  diameter  pre- 

ar  shifted ;  besides, 

nearly  to  the  state 

[eatest  quantities  in 
jState  of  New  York, 
Ivania  which  lie  ou 


SU(JAK    MAIMj;. 


107 


the  eastern  and  weslern  branches  of  the  Susquehannah  ;  west  of  the  Moun- 
tains, in  the  country  bordering  on  the  rivers  .Micghiiny,  INFonongahela,  and 
Ohio.  The  farmers,  after  reserving  a  sullicient  store  for  their  own  con- 
sumption, soil  the  residue  to  the  shopkeepers  in  the  small  towns  of  the 
neighborhood  at  8  cents  a  })ound,  by  whom  it  is  retailed  at  11  cents.  A 
great  deal  of  sugar  is  also  made  in  Upper  Canada,  on  the  Wabash,  and 
near  Michilimackinac.  The  Indians  dispose  of  it  to  the  commissioners  of 
the  North  Western  Company  establishe.l  at  Montreal,  for  the  use  of  the 
numerous  agents  who  go  out  in  their  employ,  in  quest  of  fms,  beyond  Lake 
Superior.  In  Nova  Scotia  and  the  JJistiict  of  .Mniiie,  ami  on  the  liinhest 
mountains  of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  where  these  trees  are  sullieiently 
common,  the  manufacture  is  less  considerable,  and  probably  si.v-sevenths 
of  the  inhabitants  consume  imported  sugar. 

It  has  been  slated,  and  doubtless  correctly,  that  the  northern  parts  of 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania  contain  INIaples  enough  to  supply  the  whole 
consumption  of  the  United  States.  But  the  annual  produce  by  no  means 
answers  to  this  patriotic  calculation.  The  trees  grow  upon  excellent  lands, 
which,  by  the  influx  of  emigrants  from  the  older  settlements,  and  by  the 
surprising  increase  of  the  population  already  established,  are  rapidly  clear- 
ing; so  that  in  less,  perhaps,  than  half  a  century,  the  Maples  will  be  con- 
fined to  exposures  too  steep  for  cultivation,  and  will  allbrd  no  resource, 
except  to  the  proprietor  on  whose  domain  they  grow.  At  this  period  also, 
the  wood  will  probably  produce  a  greater  and  more  ready  piofit  than  the 
sugar.  It  has  been  proposed  to  plant  Sugar  Maples  in  orchards  or  about 
the  fields;  but  would  it  not  be  more  certainly  advantageous  to  multiply 
the  Apple  tree,  which  grows  in  soils  too  dry  to  sustain  the  vegetation  of 
the  Maple  ?  All  that  has  been  said  on  this  subject  must  be  considered  as 
specuhative  merely,  since,  in  the  Eastern  States,  where  information  is  gen- 
erally diifused,  no  enterprises  of  this  nature  have  been  undertaken,  by 
Avhich  the  importation  of  sugar  might  be  diminished. 

Wild  and  domestic  animals  are  inordinately  fond  of  Maple  juice,  and 
break  into  enclosures  to  sate  themselves  with  it. 

The  details  into  which  I  have  entered,  concerning  the  Sugar  Maple, 
furnish  the  means  of  estimating  its  importance,  with  reference  both  to  its 
sap  and  to  its  wood.  I  have  indicated  the  regions  where  it  grows,  and  the 
soil  in  which  it  thrives ;  and  I  feel  authorized  in  seriously  recommending 
it  for  propagation  in  the  north  of  Europe.  Its  sap  and  its  wood  are  supe- 
rior to  those  of  the  Norway  Maple  and  of  the  Sycamore,  and  in  the  same 
countries  where  these  two  species  abound  in  the  forests,  its  success  would 
be  most  complete,  and  its  cultivation  most  profitable. 


■•»• 


108  ni.ACK   SliGAR   TUi:i:. 

PLATE    XLII. 

A  branch  with  leaves  and  atid/i  nf  tin:  nulnntl  .v/;c.     J"i^.  1,  d  uninll  lidg 

WithJIuit'LiS. 

[For  later  and  disliiict  rnnarks  on  tlic  product  of  lliis  trcp,  see  Emer- 
son's Trees  and  Slinibs  of  MassacIuiseUs,  p.  4Si),  Count  Wintfcrsky  is 
said  to  liave  planted  a  great  many  of  these  trees  on  liis  estates  in  Moravia, 
and  to  have  made  very  good  sugar  from  their  sap  when  they  had  attained 
the  age  of  25  years.  IJut  in  conscciuence  of  drawing  sap  every  year,  the 
trees  became  sickly,  and  soon  died.] 


BLACK  SUGAR  THEE. 

Acer  nigrum.  A.  fol'ds  gulnqucpartifo-palmalts,  sinuhus  apcrfis,  margi)ic 
Integra,  snblus  pubenccntibus,  alroviridibus :  JlorUms  corymbosia  z  capsul'is 
turg'uU  stibglobosis. 

In  the  Western  States,  and  in  the  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 
Avhich  lie  between  the  Mountains  and  the  Ohio,  this  species  of  Maple  is 
designated  by  the  name  of  Sugar  Tree,  and  frequently  by  the  more  cha- 
racteristic denomination  of  Black  Sugar  Tree  ;  probably  on  account  of  the 
dark  color  of  its  leaves,  in  comparison  with  those  of  the  true  Sugar  Maple, 
which  sometimes  grows  with  it.  In  the  extensive  country  of  Genesee, 
both  species  are  indiscriminately  called  Rock  Maple  and  Sugar  Maple. 
This  confusion  seems  to  have  arisen  from  the  country's  being  settled  prin- 
cipally by  emigrants  from  the  Eastern  States,  who  finding  the  Black  Sugar 
Tree  applicable  to  the  same  uses  with  tlie  other,  and  equally  productive  of 
sugar,  have  given  it  the  same  name.  The  two  species  have  also  been  con- 
founded by  Botanists,  in  describing  the  vegetable  productions  of  America. 

Toward  the  north,  I  first  observed  the  Black  Sugar  Tree,  near  Windsor 
in  Vermont,  on  the  Connecticut  river.  But  from  its  inferior  size,  and  its 
scarceness,  it  may  be  inferred  that  it  belongs  to  a  more  southern  climate. 
Accordingly,  a  few  degrees  lower,  it  forms  a  large  part  of  the  forests  of 
Genesee,  and  covers  the  immense  valleys  through  which  flow  the  great  rivers 


:  f-: . 


J'h.  1,  A  small  twis 


t  of  tills  tren,  soe  Eincr- 
.  Count  Wint^crsky  is 
lii.s  estates  ill  Moravia, 
vlicii  they  had  attained 
•ijig  sap  every  year,  the 


nihus  apartis,  margbic 
i  cori/mbosis :  capsulis 


?ylvania  and  Virginia 
I  species  oi'  Maple  is 
itly  by  the  more  cha- 
bly  on  account  of  the 
the  true  Sugar  Maple, 
country  of  Genesee, 
le  and  Sugar  Maple. 
's  being  settled  prin- 
Jing  the  Black  Sugar 
equally  productive  of 
iS  have  also  been  con- 
ductions of  America, 
Tree,  near  Windsor 
inferior  size,  and  its 
)re  southern  climate, 
lart  of  the  forests  of 
a  flow  the  great  rivers 


1 


I 


:!i 


/./'■■•;■///,•  iwi.r 


'.•:,)  --.Jr 


l)l;\(  U  Siioai'  .\|;i|)lc 

.   /..  /      A'/,//  I'" I 


N  0  n  VV  A  Y   MAP  I.  Fv 


109 


4 


of  the  West.     Ill  tliese  bottoms,  it  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  one  of 
the  loftiest  trees. 

The  leaves  are  4  or  5  inches  lon'j;,  and  oxhihit,  in  every  respect,  nearly 
the  same  conforniation  as  tiinsc  of  IIk;  true  SiiL;;ir  Miiple,  'I'liey  (liUVr  from 
them,  priuci[).il!y,  in  l)ciiig  of  a  deeper  ;j;reeti  and  a  tiiicktr  texture,  and  in 
liavinij  more  open  sinuses:  (liey  arc  also  xlij^litly  do\V)iy,  which  is  most  sen- 
sibly perceptible  on  the  main  rib. 

The  (lowers,  like  tliose  of  tlu-  Sii^nr  ^^aple,  are  snspended  by  loni;,  (lex- 
ible  peduncles :  the  seeds,  also,  are  similar,  and  are  ripe  about  the  same 
time,  that  is,  about  the  1st  of  October. 

The  wood  is  much  like  that  of  the  other  species,  but  it  is  coarser  grained 
and  less  brilliant  when  polished.  It  i.j  little  used,  because,  wherever  it 
abounds,  otlier  trees  are  tbund,  such  as  the  Oak,  th<;  Walnut,  the  Cherry 
Tree,  and  the  Mulberry,  wliicb  are  more  esteemtid  lor  building  and  for 
cabinet-making.  It  is,  however,  preferred  for  tlie  frames  of  Windsor  chairs, 
and  is  considered,  after  the  Hickories,  as  tlie  best  fuel.  Its  most  important 
use  is  for  making  sugar  of  which  it  annually  yields  a  vast  amount  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Pittsburg. 

When  the  Black  Sugar  Tree  stands  alone,  it  naturally  assumes  a  regular 
and  agreeable  shape.  Its  foliage,  of  a  darker  tint  and  more  tufted  than 
that  of  the  other  Maples,  renders  it  proper  for  forming  avenues,  and  for 
adorning  parks  and  gardens  ;  in  short,  for  every  situation  where  thick  shade 
is  desired,  as  a  shelter  from  the  sun. 

PLATK    XLIIE. 

^'I  brunch  with  u  laif  und  acids  of  the  nalural  size. 


NORWAY  MAPLE. 


Acer  platanoides.     A.  foliis  qtnnque-Iobis,  acuminatis,  utrinque  gJahris, 
lobis  dentatis  ;  corymbia  ercclis,  pedunculis  glabris. 


Tins  species  of  Maple  is  found  in  the  same  parts  of  Europe  with  the 
Sycamore,  but  it  is  most  multiplied  in  Sweden  and  Norway  ;  whence  it  has 
received  the  name  of  Norway  Maple. 

Like  the  Sycamore,  it  attains  a  lofty  height,  and  a  diameter  of  several 


! 


f  . 


110 


N  0  R  VV  A  Y   MAP  L  E. 


feet,  and  ranks  among  the  largest  trees  of  tlie  north  of  Europe.  Its  leaves 
are  broad,  of  a  fine  tcvtiiro,  and  of  a  liglit  green  color ;  in  shape,  they  re- 
semble those  of  the  Black  Sugar  tree  and  the  sugar  Maple.  They  arc  not 
whitish  underneath  like  those  of  the  Sugar  Maple,  and  when  the  petiole  is 
broken  a  milky  lluid  distils  from  it,  which  does  not  take  place  in  the  Ame- 
rican species. 

Tiie  ilowcrs  of  (he  Xorway  Maple  arc  small,  yellowish,  and  suspended 
by  pretly  long  peduncles.  The  seeds  grow  in  two  capsules,  which  are  uni- 
ted at  the  base,  compressed,  and  garnished  with  large  divergent,  membra- 
nous wings.     They  are  ripe  in  the  month  of  September. 

In  the  winter,  when  the  Norway  Maple  and  the  Sycamore  are  stripped  of 
their  leaves,  they  may  still  be  distinguished  by  their  buds.  On  the  Syca- 
more, the  last  year's  shoots  are  larger  than  on  the  Norway  Maple,  and  the 
buds  are  of  a  yellowish  color,  while  those  of  the  other  species  are  of  a  red- 
dish complexion,  and  are  united  in  groups  of  three.  On  the  two  species 
of  American  Sugar  Maple,  the  shoots  are  still  more  tapering  and  slender, 
and  the  buds  arc  nearly  black. 

The  wood  of  the  Norway  ]\Iai)le  is  very  white  and  very  fine  grained : 
it  is  easily  wrought,  and  is  employed  for  nearly  the  same  purposes  with 
that  of  the  Sycamore.  Among  cabinet-makers  in  Germany,  such  trees  are 
in  request  as  present  agreeable  accidental  variations  in  the  direction  of  the 
fibre,  similar  to  the  Curled  Maple  and  the  IJird's-eye  Maple. 

The  rapid  and  beautiful  vegetation  of  the  Norway  Maple  in  soils  inferior 
to  such  as  are  recpnrcd  by  the  Sycamore,  causes  it  to  be  extensively  planted 
in  Europe  for  the  endjoHisluaent  of  gardens;  for  which  purpose  trees  are 
preferred  that  develope  (lieir  foliage  early,  and  shed  it  late,  and  that  aflbrd 
through  the  intemperate  season  a  refreshing  shade ;  all  which  advantages 
are  united  in  the  Norway  JNlaple. 

PLATE    XLIV. 

J'lg.  1,  ^^t  Iciif  of  huff  the  nulurul  niz",     Jl  need  of  the  natuml  size. 

[  This  Is  unc[uestionably  one  of  the  best  orimmental  trees ;  its  beautifully 
formed  head,  and  the  density  of  its  shade,  should  give  it  a  preference  over 
most  of  the  Maples  for  the  landscape  gardener.  Scarcely  too  much  can  be 
said  in  its  praise.] 


uropc.     Its  leaves 
ill  shape,  they  re- 
ple.     They  are  not 
when  tlic  petiole  is 
e  place  in  the  Ame- 

sh,  and  suspended 
jles,  which  are  uni- 
livergont,  meuibra- 

lore  are  stripped  of 
ds.  On  the  Syca- 
vay  Maple,  and  the 
ipecies  are  of  a  red- 
Jn  the  two  species 
lering  and  slender, 

very  fine  grained : 
lame  purposes  with 
lany,  such  trees  are 
the  direction  of  the 
[aple. 

aple  in  soils  inferior 
extensively  planted 
1  purpose  trees  are 
late,  and  that  afford 
[  which  advanlaijes 


'  the  nalurul  nizc. 


'rees ;  its  beautifully 
;  it  a  preference  over 
ely  too  much  can  be 


I 


:i 


V 


^ 


\ 


[  111  J 


SY  CAM  0111':  TJlKJv 

Acer  rsEUDO-PLATANrs.     A.  fuliis  (pihitjur  lolils^  iii.rr/iiolifrr  denlulh  sub/its 
g/cuctscriilihU'i ;  Jlorilnis  ■svl/fpiciiliv^  j)cndulis. 


Tins  beautiful  tree  is  difTused  ov-r  all  llic  centre  of  iMiropc,  and  abounds 
especially  in  Bohemia,  Hungary,  and  Poland.  It  thrives  most  luxuriantly 
in  moist  and  fertile  soils,  and  when  expanded  to  its  full  dimensions,  it  is  GO 
or  70  feet  in  height,  and  2  or  3  feet  in  diameter.  Its  head  is  spacious,  and 
its  foliage  thick.  On  old  trees,  the  bark  of  the  trunk  is  deeply  furrowed  ; 
on  such  as  are  less  thanG  inches  in  diameter,  it  is  perfectly  smooth.  The 
leaves  of  the  Sycamore  are  opposite  wilh  long  petioles,  large,  and  distinctly 
divided  into  five  unequal  lobes  ;  they  are  of  a  dark  green  above,  and  whi- 
tish underneath.  In  the  heat  of  midsummer,  they  are  covered  with  a  very 
sweet  viscid  substance,  which  is  gathered  with  avidity  by  bees.  The 
flowers  appear  towards  the  end  of  April ;  they  are  small,  greenish,  and 
grouped  into  pendulous  clusters  from  3  to  4  inches  in  length.  The  seed  is 
in  capsules  about  an  inch  in  length,  united  at  the  base  and  terminated  by 
a  membranous  wing. 

When  the  Sycamore  is  fully  grown,  its  wood  is  fine  grained  and  suscep- 
tible of  a  brilliant  polish.  In  those  parts  of  Europe  where  it  is  most  com- 
mon, it  is  in  demand  with  turners  for  making  wooden  ware.  It  is  used 
for  making  violins,  and  when  its  grain  is  undulated,  for  ornamenting  forte- 
pianos.  By  the  interesting  experiments  of  My.  Hartig,  Grand  Master  of 
the  forests  of  Prussia,  on  the  comparative  value  of  dillerent  species  of  wood 
as  combustibles,  the  Sycamore  was  found  to  adbrd  more  heat  than  any 
other  wood  of  the  north  of  Europe. 

Sugar  has  been  made  from  the  Sycamore,  in  Bohemia  and  Hungary. 
Though  the  attempt  has  completely  succeeded,  it  appears  certain  that  the 
sugar  is  yielded  in  a  smaller  proportion  than  by  the  Sugar  Maple. 

In  France  and  England,  the  Sycamore  is  a  rare  tree  in  the  fi)rests,  but  it 
is  multiplied  in  pleasure  grounds,  on  account  of  its  rapid  growth,  the  early 
development  of  its  foliage  in  the  spring,  and  the  fine  shade  which  it  alfords 
through  the  summer. 

It  has  been  observed  in  England  that  the  foliage  of  this  tree  is  less  in- 
jured than  that  of  others,  by  the  saline  vapors  wafted  from  the  sea  ;  hence 
it  is  chosen  for  situations  exposed  to  these  winds.  The  justness  of  the 
observation  I  have  never  had  an  opportunity  of  examining. 

The  Sycamore  appears  to  me  to  possess  no  one  superior  property,  which 


il 


112 


MOOSE    WOOD. 


entitles  it  to  preference  in  the  United  States,  over  tlie  Sugar  Maple  and  the 
Black  Sugar  Tree. 


PLATE    X  LI  V. 

Fig.  2,  -i  Ifdf  of  half  the  natural  size,     Jl  seal  nf  the  natural  size, 

[  Its  growth  is  very  rapid,  particularly  when  it  is  in  a  deep,  free,  rich  soil, 
and  in  a  mild  climate.  It  arrives  at  full  growth  in  50  or  CO  years.  In 
marshy  soil,  or  dry  sand,  the  tree  never  attains  a  great  size. 

"  There  is  a  very  interesting  tree  of  this  species  standing  at  the  entrance 
of  the  village  of  Trons,  in  the  Orisons,  the  cradle  of  liberty  in  the  Ilhceti- 
an  Alps.  Under  the  once  spreading  branches  of  this  now  hollow  and  cloven 
trunk,  the  Gray  League,  was  solemnly  ratified  in  1424.  Upon  the  supposi- 
tion that  it  was  only  a  century  old  when  the  meeting,  to  which  its  celebrity 
is  owing,  took  place,  and  a  younger  tree  would  hardly  have  been  selected 
for  the  purpose,  it  has  now  attained  the  age  of  520  years  and  maybe  much 
older."     Dr,  Grcij^  in  N.  American.     Rev.  July  1844.] 


MOOSE  WOOD. 


Acer  striatum.     Affoliis  infcrm  rotundafis,  supcrne  acitminato-tricttspicli' 
bus,  argute  scrratis  :  racemis  simpUcibus,  pendenlibus, 

A.  Dcmisylvanicum.  L. 

In  the  Province  of  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick,  in  the  District  of 
Maine,  and  in  the  States  of  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  this  Maple  is 
known  only  by  the  name  of  Moose  VVood  :  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, it  is  called  Striped  Maple.  This  last  denomination,  which  is  pre- 
ferable as  being  descriptive,  I  have  thought  proper  to  reject,  because  it  is 
in  use  only  in  a  part  of  the  United  States  where  the  tree  is  rare,  and  is 


r  the  Sugar  Maple  and  tlie 


■Pil  nf  ihe  na/tmil  nlzc. 

1  in  a  deep,  free,  rich  soil, 
in  50  or  60  years.     In 
?reat  size. 

standing  at  the  entrance 
'■  of  liberty  in  the  Rhoiti- 
s  now  hollow  and  cloven 
424.  Upon  the  supposi- 
ig,  to  which  its  celebrity 
idly  have  been  selected 
'  years  and  may  be  much 
44.] 


acinninalo-lricttsjndi. 
ndeniibus. 


Dcmisylvanicum.  L. 


ck,  in  the  District  of 
pshire,  this  Maple  is 
Jeisey  and  I'ennsyl- 
lation,  which  is  pre- 
reject,  because  it  is 
!  tree  is  rare,  and  is 


MOOSK    WOOD. 


113 


wholly  unknown,  in  those  parts  in  which  it  abounds.  The  name  of  Moose 
Wood  wns  givon  it  l)y  the  first  scltlcis,  from  ohscrvin;^  that  the  Moose,  an 
animal  now  raru  in  this  region,  .snLisisted  during  the  lalter  part  of  winter 
and  the  hcginning  of  Spring,  upon  its  young  twigs. 

Tliis  tree  makes  its  first  ai)pearnnce  mar  J.ake  St.  John,  in  the  47th  do 
pree  of  latitude,  that  is  to  say,  a  little  fuilher  north  than  tlie  preceding  spe- 
cies. In  Nova  Scotia  and  the  District  of  Maine,  where  I  iiave  most  par- 
ticularly observed  il,  it  fills  the  turesls.  Toward  tiie  Hudson  it  becomes 
more  rare,  and  beyond  this  boundary,  is  confined  to  the  mountainous  tracts 
of  the  AUeghanies,  on  which  it  is  found,  in  cold  and  shaded  exposures, 
along  the  whole  range  to  its  termination  in  (Jeorgia. 

In  the  District  of  Maine  1  have  always  found  the  Moose  Wood  most 
vigorous  in  mixt  forests,  or  what  are  called  Mixture  htvds ;  where  the  woods 
are  composed  of  the  Sugar  Maple,  the  Beech,  the  White  IVirch,  the  Yellow 
Birch,  and  the  Ilcndock  Spruce.  In  these  forests,  it  constitutes  a  great 
part  of  the  under  growth  ;  for  its  ordinary  height  is  less  than  10  feet,  though 
1  have  found  individual  trees  of  more  than  twice  this  stature. 

The  trunk  and  branches  of  the  Moose  Wood  are  clad  in  a  smooth  green 
bark,  longitudinally  marked  with  black  stripes,  by  which  it  is  easily  dis- 
tinguishable, at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

This  is  one  of  the  earliest  trees  of  North  America,  whose  vegetation 
announces  the  approach  of  the  genial  season.  Its  buds  and  leaves,  when 
beginning  to  unfold,  are  rose  colored,  and  have  a  pleasing  elFect  ;  but  this 
hue  soon  changes  to  green.  On  luxuriant  trees,  the  leaves  are  of  a  pretty 
thick  texture,  and  finely  serrate.  They  are  4  or  5  inches  broad,  rounded 
at  the  base,  and  divided  into  3  deep  acute  lobes.  Tiie  llowtrs  are  of  a 
greenish  cast,  and  grouped  on  long,  pendulous  peduncles.  The  frui., 
which  in  the  main  resembles  that  of  the  other  Maples,  is  remarkiible  for  a 
small  cavity  on  one  side  of  the  capsules  :  it  is  produced  in  abundance, 
and  is  ripe  about  the  end  of  Septendjer. 

The  inferior  size  of  the  Moose  Wood  forbids  its  use  in  any  kind  of  car- 
pentry, but  as  it  is  white  and  fine  grained,  the  cabinet-makers  of  Hali- 
fax employ  it  instead  of  the  Holly,  which  does  not  grow  in  so  northern  a 
climate,  for  forming  the  white  lines  with  which  they  inlay  Mahogany.  Its 
principal  advantage  consists  in  furnishing  the  inhabitants,  at  the  close 
of  winter,  when  their  forage  is  exhausted,  a  resource  for  sustaining 
their  cattle,  till  the  advancing  season  has  renewed  the  herbage.  As  soon 
as  the  buds  begin  to  swell,  the  famished  horses  and  neat  cattle  arc  turned 
loose  into  the  woods,  to  browse  on  the  young  shoots,  which  they  crop 
with  avidity.  Poor  as  this  resource  may  appear,  it  is  not  wholly  iimde- 
quate,  since  the  twigs  are  tender,  and  fidl  of  saccharine  juice.  A  similar 
practice  prevails,  also,  in  the  new  settlements  of  the  West. 

This  species  of  Maple  has  been  long  cultivated  in  Europe  in  parks  and 
15 


114     BOX  ri.Dnn  on  asii-lkavkd  maplr. 

extensive  gardens.  It  is  in  rctiucst  as  one  of  the  cnitiest  trees  to  feel  llic 
npproadi  of  spring,  hut  more  particularly  on  account  of  the  pleasing  edict 
of  the  wliito  veins,  whicli  variegate  its  trunk.  In  the  primitive  forests, 
where  it  grows  beneath  n  canopy  of  impervious  shade,  these  veins  arc 
black  :  the  change  of  color  seems  owing  to  its  being  planted  in  drier  soils, 
more  open  to  the  sun.  Most  of  the  trees  of  this  species  which  now  grow 
in  Euiopc,  liavo  been  grafted  on  the  lo|>y  Sycamore,  whose  vigor  is  felt 
by  the  Moose  Wood,  and  expands  it  to  four  times  its  natural  dimensions. 

PLATE  XLV. 

^branch  with  fruit  of  the  natural  aizr.  Fig.  1,  Bark  of  a  tree  in  the 
forests  of  North  America.  Fig.  2,  Bark  of  a  tree  cultivated  on  dry  and  open 
ground. 

[From  the  great  beauty  of  its  hark,  this  tree  deserves  a  place  in  every 
collection.  The  delicate  rose  color  of  the  buds  and  leaves  on  opening,  and 
the  elegance  of  the  ample  foliage  afterwards,  the  graceful  pendulous  ra- 
ficmes  of  flowers,  succeeded  by  large,  showy  keys,  not  unlike  a  cluster  of 
insects,  will  also  recommend  it.] 


BOX   ELDER, 


O  R 


ASH  LEAVED  MAPLE. 

Acer  neoundo.    A.  foliis  pinnatis  fernatisve,  inxqualiter  serratis :  paribus 

dio'icis. 

In  the  country  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  where  this  tree  is  common,  it  is 
called  Box  Elder;  east  of  the  Mountains  it  is  more  rare,  and  having  been 
less  attentively  observed,  it  has  received  no  specific  name.  Some  persons, 
however,  distinguish  it  by  that  of  Ash-leaved  Maple,  which  is  a  perfectly 


>_.. 


^AVKD   MAPLE. 

tlie  cniliest  trees  to  fbel  llic 
^cniititoftlie  plciisinrr  cirrct 
'ii  tlic  piiiiiitivf  Ibrcsts, 
'lis  sliade,  these  veins  arc 
'I'in,!,'  planted  in  drier  soils, 
!•<  species  which  now  >,mow 
auiorc,  whose  vif,'or  is  felt 
aes  its  natural  dimensions. 


r-  1.  Bark  of  a  tree  in  the 
■  cultivated  on  dry  and  open 

leserves  a  place  in  every 
nd  leaves  on  openinjr,  and 
e  graceful  pendulous  ra- 
s,  not  unlike  a  cluster  of 


E. 


ualiter  serralis :  Jloribua 


s  tree  is  common,  it  is 
rare,  and  having  been 
name.  Some  persons, 
e,  which  is  a  perfectly 


"'■^H* 


1^ 


1 


//./. 


.a 

3 


A,....,/  ,t.t 


U()\  I'.ldcr 


(■../■,,./.<■.,.'(,■ 


^i 


■ii 


I 


!         :i 


A 


:    ! 


Ci^ 


B(3X    ELDER    OU    ASH    LEAVED    l\r  A  P  L  E.      115 


appropriate  denomination :  I  have  cliosen  the  other,  though  ahsolutely 
insignificant  of  any  characteristic  property  of  the  tree,  because  it  is  sanc- 
tioned by  general  use.     The  Frencli  of  Illinois  call  it  Eruhle  ii  Gigiiia-es. 

The  leaves  of  the  Box  Elder  are  opposite,  and  are  from  6  to  15  inches 
long,  according  to  the  vigor  of  the  tree,  and]  the  moisture  of  the  soil  in 
which  it  grows.  Each  leaf  is  composed  of  two  pair  of  leaflets  with  an  odd 
one.  The  leaves  are  petiolated,  oval-acuminate,  and  sharply  toothed : 
toward  fall,  the  common  petiole  is  of  a  deep  red.  The  male  and  female 
flowers  are  borne  on  dill'erent  trees,  and  are  supported  by  slender,  pendul- 
ous peduncles,  6  or  7  inches  in  length. 

Of  all  the  Maples  of  the  United  States,  this  species  ventures  least  into 
northern  latitudes,  for  in  the  Atlantic  States,  it  is  first  seen  on  the  banks  of 
the  Delaware,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia,  and  even  there  it  is 
rare.  In  the  maritime  parts  of  the  Southern  States,  also,  it  is  far  from 
being  a  common  tree  ;  which  is  less  attributable  to  the  lieat  of  the  summer, 
than  to  the  marshy  nature  of  the  soil  on  the  borders  of  the  rivers.  West 
of  the  Mountains,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  extremely  multiplied,  and  instead 
of  being  confined,  as  in  the  upper  parts  of  Virginia  and  of  the  Carolinas, 
to  the  river  sides,  it  grows  in  the  woods,  with  the  Locust,  Wild  Cherry, 
and  Coffee-Tree.  But  in  the  bottoms  which  skirt  the  rivers,  where  the 
soil  is  deep,  fertile,  constantly  moist,  and  often  inundated,  this  tree  is  most 
abundant,  and  most  fully  expanded.  I^ven  here,  it  can  be  considered  only 
as  a  tree  of  secondary  size:  the  largest  Box  Elders  that  I  have  seen  were 
not  more  than  50  feet  in  height,  and  20  inches  in  diameter,  and  trees  of 
these  dimensions  are  found  only  in  Tennessee  and  in  the  back  parts  of 
Georgia,  which  lie  far  to  the  south.  In  Kentucky,  they  are  of  only  half 
this  height.  Though  growing  in  thick  forests,  the  Box  Elder  expands  into 
a  head  like  that  of  the  Apple  tree.  I  have  remarked  this  form,  particularly, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  where  I  have  also  observed  that  the  trunk 
bulges  into  knots  at  unequal  distances,  and  is  often  decayed  at  the  heart, 
A  fine  row  of  Box  Elders  in  the  botanical  garden  of  Paris,  along  the  Rue 
de  Bufon,  affords  a  sufficiently  just  idea  of  their  appearance  in  the  forests, 
on  the  rivers  Monongahela  and  Ohio.  It  may  be  concluded  from  what 
has  been  said,  that  to  attain  its  full  proportions,  this  tree  requires  a  climate 
tliree  or  four  degrees  milder  than  that  of  Philadelphia,  Pittsburg,  and 
Paris. 

The  Box  Elder  branches  at  a  small  height.  The  bark  of  its  trunk  is 
brown,  and  I  have  remarked  a  disagreeable  odor  in  the  cellular  tissue. 
The  proportion  of  the  sap  to  the  heart  is  large,  except  in  very  old  trees ; 
in  these  the  heart  is  variegated  with  rose  colored  and  bluish  veins.  Some 
cabinet-makers  in  the  Western  Country  employ  it  to  ornament  furniture 
made  of  Mahogany  or  Wild  Cherry  Tree.  The  wood  is  of  a  fine  and 
close  grain,  and  is  said  to  split  with  difficulty :  but  as  it  soon  decays  when 


I 


i 


tl 


liiJ 


!     I 


116 


M  O  U  N  T  A  I  N    iM  A  P  T,  E , 


exposed  to  the  air,  it  is  little  used.  It  has  been  erroneously  asserted  that 
sugar  is  made  from  the  sap  of  this  species. 

More  than  fifty  years  since,  the  Bn\  Khlcr  was  introduced  into  France 
by  Admiral  La  GallissonuMc.  Subseijuently,  it  has  spread  into  Germany 
and  England,  where  it  is  in  great  recpicst  for  adorning  pleasure  grounds,  on 
account  of  the  rapidity  of  its  growth,  and  the  beauty  of  its  foliage,  whose 
bright  green  forms  an  agreable  contrast  with  the  surrounding  trees.  Its 
yo.ing  branches,  of  a  lively  green,  contribute  to  the  favor  in  which  it  is 
held,  and  serve  to  distinguish  it  in  the  winter,  when  its  leaves  are  fallen. 

The  utility  of  its  wood,  I  believe,  has  of  late  been  exaggerated  ;  both 
Europe  and  America  possess  many  trees  superior  in  strength  as  well  as  in 
size.  It  appears  certain,  however,  that,  growing  in  copses,  and  cut  every 
three  or  four  years,  it  would  afford  a  prolitable  product  in  its  sprouts,  which 
are  very  numerous,  and  which,  during  the  first  years,  shoot  with  astonish- 
ing rapidity.  The  success  of  this  experiment  will  be  more  certain  if  it  is 
made  on  groimds  constantly  moist  and  cool :  though  the  Box  Elder  may 
seem,  for  a  few  years,  to  prosper  in  dry  and  meager  soils,  it  sooner  or  later 
pines  and  perishes.  Of  this  I  became  convinced  in  conversing  with  seve- 
ral proprietors,  in  the  environs  of  Paris,  who,  after  some  recent  publications 
on  this  tree,  had  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  derive  profit  from  their 
poor  lands,  by  planting  them  with  the  Box  Elder. 

PLATE  XLVI. 

^  branch  icilh  leaves  and  seedn  of  the  natural  size. 


MOUNTAIN    MAPLE. 

Acer  montanum.   A.  fotUs  fri-suhquinqitelobis,  ariiminaliSf  dentalis,  rugosis : 
raceinis  spiciformibus,  suberectis,  petalis  linearibus. 

This  species  is  more  abundant  in  Canada,  Nova  Scotia,  and  along  the 
whole  range  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  than  in  any  other  part  of  North 
America.  It  is  called  Mountain  Maple  and  Low  Maple.  Though  the 
last  of  these  names  indicates  the  stature  of  the  tree,  I  have  retained  the 


P  T.  E . 

en  erroneously  asserted  that 

>vas  introduced  into  France 
It  has  spread  into  Germany 
orning  pleasure  grounds,  on 
beauty  of  its  foliage,  whose 
the  surrounding  trees.     Its 
to  the  favor  in  which  it  is 
when  its  leaves  are  fallen, 
e  been  exaggerated;  both 
or  in  strength  as  well  as  in 
ig  in  copses,  and  cut  every 
loduct  in  its  sprouts,  which 
years,  shoot  with  astonish- 
ill  be  more  certain  if  it  is 
lough  the  Box  Elder  may 
ger  soils,  it  sooner  or  later 
1  in  conversing  with  seve- 
!r  some  recent  publications 
o  derive  profit  from  their 


'  natural  size. 


E. 


nnafts,  denlatis,  rugosis  : 
f  linearibus. 

a  Scotia,  and  along  the 
iny  other  part  of  North 
^v  Maple.  Though  the 
ee,  I  have  retained  the 


I 


\ 


:  /'  l\,x.ii piiir 


Moiinlain  Mapio 

.  //■(■/■  nionlitnitiii  . 


'j/'rii'/  itvtt^'- 


\^ 


\m 


1 1  I 


hill 


MOUNTAIN    MAPLE 


117 


first,  which  is  more  t^cncrally  in  use,  and  which  is  likewise  iippropriate,  as 
this  Maple  grows  of  proforenre  on  the  dpclivitics  of  mountains  exposed  to 
the  north,  and  in  cool,  moist,  and  sliady  situations,  on  the  abrupt  and  rocky 
banks  of  torrents  and  rivers.  On  the  Mohawk,  for  instance,  near  the  little 
falls,  it  abounds  among  the  enormous  rocks  which  lie  scattered  along  its 
sides. 

The  Mountain  Maple  is  6  or  8  feet  in  height,  and  it  blooms  even  at  a 
smaller  elevation.  It  most  frequently  grows  in  the  form  of  a  shrub,  with 
a  single  and  straight  stock.  The  leaves  are  large,  opposite,  and  divided 
into  3  acute  and  indented  lobes:  they  are  slightly  hairy  at  their  unfolding, 
and  when  fully  grown,  they  are  uneven  and  of  a  dark  green  upon  the  up- 
per surface.  The  blossoms  are  small,  of  a  greenish  color,  and  produced 
in  somi-erect  spikes  from  2  to  4  inches  in  length.  The  seeds,  which  are 
smaller  than  those  of  any  other  American  Maple,  are  fixed  upon  slender, 
pendulous  footstalks :  they  are  reddish  at  maturity,  and  each  of  them 
is  surmounted  by  a  membranous  wing,  and  has  a  small  cavity  upon  one 
side. 

The  Mountain  Maple  is  too  small  to  be  profitably  cultivated  for  its  wood, 
and  as  its  ilowers,  its  roots,  and  its  bark  are  destitute  of  any  very  sensible 
odor,  it  promises  no  resources  to  medicine.  It  is  found  in  the  gardens  of 
the  curious,  rather  to  complete  the  series  of  species,  than  for  any  remark- 
able property  of  its  foliage  or  of  its  flowers. 

This  species  is  commonly  grafted  upon  the  Sycamore,  and,  like  the 
Moose  wood,  it  is  thus  augmented  to  twice  its  natural  dimensions.  This 
surprising  development  evinces  how  great  are  the  advantages  which  may 
be  derived  from  this  process  and  from  continued  cultivation,  in  improving 
inferior  vegetables. 

PLATE  XLVII. 

A  branch  tvith  the  leaves  andjioioers  of  their  natural  size.  Fig.  1,  A  bunch 
of  seeds  of  the  natural  size. 


[According  to  Emerson  the  Mountain  Maple  somc^'^riCs  attains  the  height 
of  twenty-four  feet ;  the  leaves  assume,  towards  autumn,  various  rich 
shades  of  red,  with  the  seeds  yellowish,  and  in  this  state  it  has  considerable 
beauty.] 


[  11«  1 


DOGWOOD. 


Tctrandria  inonogynia,  Linn.     Caprifolia,  Jusi, 


M 


I     I 


'I  ! 


CoRN'tis  FLORIDA.  C.  folUs  ovulibvs,  actiiiiinatis  siibtits  aVncantihis :  Jhribus 
sesailitrr  copilalis  ;  involiicro  maxima ^foliulis  iipice  deforml  quasi  oliconla- 
tin :  fruclibun  ovatb,  rubris. 

Among  the  eight  species  of  Dogwood  which  have  been  observed  in 
North  Americn,  this  alone  is  entitled  by  its  size  to  be  classed  with  the 
forest  trees.  It  is  the  most  interesting,  too,  for  the  value  of  its  wood,  the 
properties  of  its  bark,  and  the  beauty  of  its  (lowers.  In  the  United  States 
at  large,  it  is  known  by  the  name  of  Dogwood,  and  in  Connecticut  it  is 
also  called  Box  Wood. 

The  Dogwood  is  first  seen  in  Massachusetts,  between  the  42d  and  43d 
degrees  of  latitude,  and  in  proceeding  .outhward,  it  is  met  with  uninter- 
ruptedly throughout  the  Eastern  and  Western  States,  and  the  two  Floridas, 
to  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi.  Over  this  vast  extent  of  country,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  common  trees,  and  it  abounds  particularly  in  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Virginia,  wherever  the  soil  is  moist,  gravelly, 
and  somewhat  uneven  ;  further  south,  in  the  Carolinas,  Georgia,  and  the 
Floridas,  it  is  found  only  on  the  borders  of  swamps,  and  never  in  the  pine 
barrens,  where  the  soil  is  too  dry  and  sandy  to  sustain  its  vegetation.  In 
the  most  fertile  districts  of  Kentucky  and  West  Tennessee,  it  does  not 
appear  in  the  forests,  excopt  where  the  soil  is  gravelly  and  of  a  middling 
quality. 

The  Dogwood  sometimes  reaches  30  or  35  feet  in  height,  and  9  or  10 
inches  in  diameter;  but  it  does  not  generally  exceed  the  height  of  18  or 
20  feet,  and  the  diameter  of  4  or  5  inches.  The  trunk  is  strong,  and  is 
covered  with  a  blackish  bark,  chapped  into  small  portions,  which  are  often 
in  the  shape  of  squares  more  or  less  exact.  The  branches  are  proportion- 
ally less  numerous  than  on  other  trees,  and  are  regularly  disposed  nearly 
in  the  form  of  crosses.  The  young  twigs  are  observed  to  incline  upwards 
in  a  semicircular  direction. 

The  leaves  are  opposite,  about  3  inches  in  length,  oval,  of  a  d.irk  green 
above,  and  whitish  beneath ;  the  upper  surface  is  very  distinctly  sulcated. 
Toward  the  close  of  summer,  they  are  often  marked  with  black  spots,  and 
at  the  approach  of  winter  they  change  to  a  dull  red. 

In  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  the  flowers  are  fully  blown  about  the 


nogynia,  Li.v.v.     Caprirolla,  Juss. 

sKb/hs  alhicantihis :  Jloribua 
upice  ileformi  </uasi  ohamla- 


-h  Jiavo  been  observed  in 
size  to  be  cliissed  with  the 
the  value  of  its  wood,  the 
■ers.  In  the  United  States 
,  and  in  Connecticut  it  is 

ctween  the  42d  and  43d 
•d,  it  is  met  with  uninter- 
ites,  and  the  two  FJoridas, 
extent  of  country,  it  is  one 
••(icularly  in  New  Jersey, 
the  soil  is  moist,  gravelly, 
irolinas,  Georgia,  and  the' 
IS,  and  never  in  the  pine 
istain  its  vegetation.     In 
•  Tennessee,  it  does  not 
•avellyandofamiddlin-v 

t  in  height,  and  9  or  10 
ceed  the  lioight  of  18  or 
trunk  is  strong,  and  is 
lortions,  which  are  often 
)i-anclies  are  proportion- 
gularly  disposed  nearly 
'ved  to  incline  upwards 

1,  oval,  of  a  dark  green 
^ery  distinctly  sulcated. 
1  with  black  spots,  and 

fully  blown  about  the 


/'f , 


/i.-.Cn,/^   ,^/, 


Doow(»()(l . 

o 

Cor/m,^'  //orii/d 


Wk 

1 

Kl 

L 

W'\ 

1 

r    "  Ji 

f 

'-- .^ 

li 

isi''«y' 

ii 

^^B^'^ 

1 

mi 

,* 

pj 

f 

-    ifcv^ 

1             1 

^ 

/ 

II 
1 

Oa/frti'/ .■: 

.1 

'j 

! 

'\ 
1                                             ■ 

.4} 

■ 

ii' 


lii 


kL 


DOGWOOD. 


tm 


lOth  or  15th  of  May,  wliile  the  leaves  are  only  bcginnin;i;  to  unlbkl  thciii- 
selves.  The  flowers  are  small,  yellowish  and  collected  in  bunches,  wliich 
are  surrounded  with  a  very  large  involucre  composed  of  l  white  lloral 
leaves,  sometimes  inclining  to  violet.  This  fine  involucre  constitutes  all 
the  beauty  of  the  (lowers,  which  are  very  numerous,  and  which,  in  their 
season,  robe  the  tree  in  white,  like  a  full  blown  Apple  tree,  and  render  it 
one  of  the  fairest  ornaments  of  the  American  forests. 

The  seeds,  of  a  vivid,  glossy  red,  and  of  an  oval  shape,  arc  always 
united.  They  remain  upon  the  trees  till  the  first  frosts,  when,  notwithstand- 
ing their  bitterness,  they  are  devoured  by  the  Robin,  Turdus  viigratoriuSy 
which  about  this  period  arrives  from  the  northern  regions. 

The  wood  is  hard,  compact,  heavy,  and  fine  grained,  and  is  susceptible 
of  a  brilliant  polish.  The  sap  is  perfectly  white,  and  the  heart  is  of  a 
chocolate  color.  This  tree  is  not  large  enough  for  works  which  require 
pieces  of  considerable  volume ;  it  is  used  for  the  handles  of  light  tools, 
such  as  mallets,  small  vises,  etc.  In  the  country,  some  farmers  select  it 
for  harrow  teeth,  for  the  hames  of  horses'  collars,  and  also  for  lining  the 
runners  of  sledges  ;  but  to  whatever  purpose  it  is  applied,  being  liable  to 
split,  it  should  never  be  wrought  till  it  is  perfectly  seasoned.  The  shoots, 
when  3  or  4  years  old,  are  found  proper  for  the  light  hoops  of  small,  port- 
able casks ;  but  the  consumption  in  this  way  is  inconsiderable.  In  the 
Middle  States,  the  cogs  of  raUl-wheels  are  made  of  Dogwood,  and  its  di- 
vergent branches  are  taken  for  the  yokes  which  are  put  upon  the  necks  of 
swine,  to  prevent  their  breaking  into  cultivated  enclosures.  Such  are  the 
profitable  uses  of  this  tree  ;  it  affords  also  excellent  fuel,  but  it  is  too  small 
to  be  brought  into  the  markets  of  the  chies. 

The  libei'  or  interior  bark  of  the  Dogwood  is  extremely  bitter,  and  proves 
an  excellent  remedy  in  intermittent  fevers.  It  has  been  known  and  suc- 
cessfully used  by  the  country  people,  as  a  specific  in  these  maladies,  for 
more  than  fifty  years.  Its  medicinal  properties  were  made  the  subject  of 
a  thesis  defended  in  the  College  of  Physicians  at  Philadelphia,  in  1S03,  in 
which  was  presented  an  analysis  of  the  Bark  of  the  Dogwood  and  of  the 
Blue  Berried  Dogwood,  compared  with  the  Peruvian  bark;  by  the  experi- 
ments made  on  this  occasion,  the  Dogwood  bark  was  shown  to  have  a  close 
analogy  to  the  Peruvian  bark,  and  to  be  capable,  in  many  cases,  of  sup- 
plying its  place  with  success.  The  author  of  this  excellent  piece  cites  a 
physician  of  Pennsylvania,  who,  during  twenty  years,  had  constantly  em- 
ployed it,  and  who  estimated  35  grains  of  it  to  be  equivalent  to  30  grains 
of  the  Peruvian  bark.  The  only  inconvenience  accompanying  its  use  was 
that,  if  taken  within  a  year  after  being  stript  from  the  tree,  it  sometimes 
occasioned  acute  pains  of  the  bowels;  but  this  evil  was  remedied  by  add- 
ing to  it  5  grains  of  Virginia  Snake-root,  Jlristolochia  scrpenlaria. 

The  same  author  gives  a  receipt  for  making  an  excellent  ink,  in  which 


\i\ 


ii 


n! 


1  '  I 
I  III  I 


iH-l 


l! 


^if 


120 


GEORGIA    BARK. 


this  bcirk  is  substituted  for  gnll  nuts  :  Put  5  .in  ounce  of  Dogwood  bark,  2 
scruples  of  sulpliate  of  iron,  and  2  scruples  of  gum  arable,  into  16  ounces 
of  rain  water;   during  the  infusion,  shake  it  repeatedly. 

Tiie  Dogwooil  merits  the  attention  of  Europeans,  for  the  value  of  its 
wood,  and  especially  for  the  brilliancy  of  its  (lowers,  by  which  it  is  better 
adapted  than  almost  any  other  North  American  tree  to  the  embellishment 
of  fuiosts,  parks,  and  extensive  gardens. 

PLATE  XLVIII. 

.<?  branch  ivith  leaves  and  Jloivers  of  the  natural  size.  Fig.  1,  d  branch 
with  fruit  of  the  natural  size, 

[From  the  bark  of  the  smaller  roots  the  Indians  obtained  a  good  scarlet 
color.  The  smaller  branches,  stripped  of  their  hark,  and  used  as  a  brush, 
are  said  to  render  the  teeth  extremely  white.    Emerson.] 


GEORGIA  BARK. 

Pentandria  monogynia.  Linn,    RubiacctB.  Juss. 
PiNCKNETA  PUBENs.  P.foHls  oppositis,  ovalibus,utrinque  aciitis  ;  subtomentosis. 

Ors.     Florihusmnjusculis,  pallcniibusct  purpurco.lincatis,  fiisciculato-paniculatis. 
Cupi-ulis  subrutundis,  modicd  coinprcsiiis :    scniinibusnunicrosisalatls. 

This  tree,  still  more  interesting  by  the  properties  of  its  bark,  than  by  the 
elegance  of  its  flowers  and  of  its  foliage,  is  indigenous  to  the  most  southern 
parts  of  the  United  States :  probably  it  grows  also  in  the  two  Floridas  and 
in  Lower  Louisiana.  My  ftUher  found  it  for  the  fn-st  time  in  1791  on  the 
banks  of  the  St.  Mary.  He  carried  seeds  and  young  plants  to  Charleston, 
and  planted  them  in  a  garden  which  he  possessed  near  that  city.  Though 
entrusted  to  an  ungrateful  soil,  they  succeeded  so  well,  that  in  1807  I  found 
several  of  them  25  feet  high,  and  7  or  8  inches  in  diameter  ;  which  proves 
that  the  vegetation  of  this  tree  does  not  require  a  very  warm  climate,  nor  a 
very  substantial  soil. 


'4 


nee  of  Dogwood  bark,  2 
m  arable,  into  16  ounces 

tedly. 

?aiis,  for  tlie  vahie  of  its 
ers,  by  wbicb  it  is  better 
ree  (o  the  embellishment 


nze.     Fig.  1,  jl  branch 


obtained  a  good  scarlet 
Ic,  and  used  as  a  brush, 
rson.J 


1.  Linn.    RiibiaccfB.  Juss. 
;  aculis  ;  subtomentosis. 


isciculiito-paniculatis. 
nunierosisalatis. 

fits  bark,  than  by  the 
s  to  the  most  southern 
the  two  Floridas  and 
It  time  in  1791  on  the 
planis  to  Charleston, 
ir  that  city.  Though 
,  that  in  1807  I  found 
neter  ;  which  proves 
waim  climate,  nor  a 


/'/,  V:; 


/'  '/',,/v,/,.  M. 


:' 


t-44_i 


(IKOIUMA    MARK. 


131 


} 


Willi  n  t^n>;(l  alliiiily  (o  llm  Cinchona  \v\\\c]\  yields  tlm  Pcriiviiin  hark, 
my  father  discerned  in  llie  (leorgia  D.irk  Millicieiit  dilli-rences  to  disliiiL^uish 
it  as  a  new  f;eiiii.s.  In  testimony  of  his  gratitude  and  respect,  he  conse- 
crated it  to  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckney,  an  enlightened  patron  oi'the  arts 
and  sciences,  from  whom  my  father  and  myself,  diiring  our  residence  in 
South  Carolina,  received  multiplied  proofs  of  benevolence  and  esteem. 

The  Georgia  JJark  is  a  low  tree,  dividing  itself  into  numerous  branches, 
and  rarely  exceeding  the  height  of  2j  feet,  and  the  diameter  of  5  or  6  inches 
at  the  base.  A  cool  and  shady  exposure  appears  the  most  favourable  to 
its  growth,  lis  leaves  are  opposite,  4  or  5  inches  long,  of  a  light  green 
color,  and  downy  undcrnealii,  as  arc  also  the  shoots  to  which  they  arc 
attached.  The  flowers  which  are  white  with  longitudinal  rose  colored 
stripes,  are  pretty  large,  and  are  collected  in  beautiful  panicles  at  the 
extremity  of  the  branches.  Each  ilower  is  accompatiied  by  a  floral  leaf, 
bordered  with  rose  color  near  the  upper  edge.  The  capsules  are  round, 
compressed  in  the  middle,  and  stored  with  a  great  number  of  small  winged 
seeds. 

The  wood  of  the  Georgia  Bark  is  soft,  and  unfit  for  use  in  the  arts  ;  but 
its  inner  bark  is  extremely  bitter,  and  appears  to  partake  of  the  febrifuge 
virtues  of  the  Ci)icIio)ia,  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  southern  parts  of  Georgia 
employ  it  successfully  in  the  intermittent  fevers  which,  during  the  latter 
part  of  summer  and  the  autumn,  prevail  in  the  Southern  States.  A  hand- 
ful of  the  bark  is  boiled  in  a  (piart  of  water  till  the  litpiid  is  reduced  one 
half,  and  the  infusion  is  administered  to  the  sick.  From  the  properties  of 
its  bark,  the  Pinchnci/a  has  taken  the  name  of  Georgia  Baric.  It  is  to  be 
wished  that  some  intelligent  physician  would  examine  these  properties 
with  care,  and  indicate  with  accuracy  the  manner  of  employing  this  indi- 
genous remedy,  and  the  ellects  to  be  expected  from  it :  the  tree  which 
produces  it  so  nearly  resembles  the  Peruvian  vegetable,  that  some  Botanists 
have  included  them  in  the  same  genus. 


PLATE    XLIX. 

•^  branch  with  leaves  and  Jlowcrs  of  the  natural  size.     Fig.  1,  ^  seed-vessel. 

Fig.  2, .'?  seed. 


m 


r  I-.'-'  ] 


rOKFKK   TJIKK. 

Diiccia  dccandria,  Linn,     Leguminoso).    Ji'ss. 

Gymnocladus  canadensis,  ii,  foliis  bijnnnatis,  amji/issimis,  deciduls  ;  foliolis 
ovalihus,  acnminatis.     I'loribus  racemoHis  ;  le^uminosis po/i/npermis. 

Uppku  Canada  beyond  JNTontieal,  nnd  lliat  part  of  Genesee  which  bor- 
ders on  Lake  Ontario  and  Lake  Kiie,  are  tlie  most  northern  countries 
which  produce  the  CoU'ee  Tree  :  but  it  is  much  less  abundant  iu  these 
climates  than  in  the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  in  the  tract 
which  is  bounded  by  the  rivers  Ohio  and  Illinois,  between  the  35(11  and 
40th  degrees  of  latitude.  'J'he  large  dimensions  which  it  exhibits  in  these 
regions,  is  attributable  to  the  milder  temperature  of  the  seasons,  and  to  the 
extreme  fertility  of  the  soil. 

The  French  of  Canada  call  this  tree  Chicut;  those  of  Illinois,  Gros  Fe- 
vier  ;  and  the  inhabitants  of  (he  VW'stern  States,  Codec  Tree. 

The  presence  of  the  Coflije  Tree  is  an  index  of  the  richest  lands  ;  on 
which  it  habitually  grows  in  company  with  the  Ulack  Walnut,  the  Red 
Elm,  the  Poplar,  the  Blue  Ash,  the  Honey  Locust,  and  the  Ilackbcrry. 
These  trees  it  equals  in  height,  but  not  in  bulk,  for  a  CoHee  Tree  50  or  GO 
feet  liigh,does  not  generally  exceed  12  or  15  inches  in  diameter. 

In  summer,  this  tree,  when  fully  grown,  has  a  fine  appearance :  its 
straight  trunk  is  often  destitute  of  branches  for  30  feet,  and  supports  a 
summit  not  very  widely  spread,  but  of  a  regular  shape  and  of  tufted  foliage  : 
such  at  least  is  its  form  in  primitive  forests,  where  it  is  confined  by  the 
trees  which  grow  around  it.  In  the  winter,  when  its  leaves  are  fallen,  the 
paucity  of  its  branches  and  the  size  of  the  terminal  ones,  which  are  very 
large  in  comparison  with  those  of  other  trees,  give  it  a  peculiar  appearance 
somewhat  resembling  a  dead  tree.  This  is  probably  the  reason  of  its  being 
called  Chic(,t,  Stump  tree,  by  the  French  Canadians.  To  this  peculiar 
character  is  added  another  of  the  epidermis,  which  is  extremely  rough, 
and  which  detaches  itself  in  small,  hard,  transverse  strips,  rolled  backward 
at  the  ends,  and  projecting  sufficiently  to  render  the  tree  distinguishable  at 
first  sight.  I  have  also  remarked  that  the  live  bark  is  very  bitter,  so  that 
a  morsel  no  bigger  than  a  grain  of  maize,  chewed  for  some  time,  produces 
a  violent  irritation  of  the  throat. 

The  leaves  are  3  feet  long  and  20  inches  wide,  on  young  a!id  thriving 
trees:  on  old  ones,  they  are  not  more  than  half  as  large.     These  leaves 


INN.     LeguminostD.    Juss. 

nmis,  decidws  ;  foUolis 
'nosispofij.spcrmis. 


f  Genesee  wliich  bor- 
1st  northern  countries 
5s  abundant  in  these 
!see,  and  in  the  tract 
)et\veen  l!io  3r)th  and 
ch  it  exhibits  in  these 
ic  seasons,  and  to  tlie 

;  of  Illinois,  Gros  Fc- 
e  Tree. 

he  richest  lands ;  on 
:k  Walnut,  the   Red 
and  the  Ilackbcrry. 
Co/ree  Tree  50  or  GO 
1  diameter, 
fine  appearance :  its 
eet,   and  su])ports  a 
ind  of  tufted  Ibliaire: 
:  is  confined  by  the 
eaves  are  fallen,  the 
les,  which  are  very 
peculiar  appearance 
e  reason  of  its  being 
To  this  peculiar 
is  extremely  rough, 
ps,  rolled  backward 
J  distinguishable  at 
very  bitter,  so  that 
3me  time,  produces 

young  alid  thriving 
go.     These  loaves 


:ili 


1 


V 


in  ' 


1 


I'-l  BeA,;i  M. 


(>l//tl/lt\  >/i/i///,<-    l<f/l(fi/('/l,<7,> 


t;  u  V  V  F,  i:    r  u  v.  \:. 


193 


J 


iirc  (Iniil)ly  coinpoimd,  with  ovni-aciiminnte  Icnflcts  IVoin  1  fn  2  inclies  long. 
I'lu;  lfiillt:ls  art!  ol'ii  tliill  ^locii,  anil  iti  tlu-  tall  tin;  prtiitle  is  ota  violot  color. 

Tliu  tloHee  Trt'L'  hi'lotij^s  to  tlic  class  Ditrciu  of  Miitupiis,  whicli  includes 
all  \t'i;('lal)les  whose  male  and  ('cinali' llowcrs  aro  boino  hy  dilliTent  plants; 
in  which  case  those  oidy  that  boar  the  female  llowcrs  produce  IViiil:  to 
ed'ect  the  t'couiidalion,  it  is  necessary  that  there  should  bu  male  plants 
growing  near  thcni.  The  llowcrs  and  the  fruit  are  lar^c,  bowed  pods,  of 
a  reddish  brown  color,  and  of  a  pulpy  consistency  within.  They  contain 
.several  large,  gray  seeds,  whidi  are  extremely  hard.  The  French  of  Upper 
Louisiana  call  them   GonrgiuifS. 

The  name  of  CoU'ee  Tree  was  given  to  lliis  vegetable  by  the  early  emi- 
grants to  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  who  lioped  to  tind  in  its  seeds  a  substi- 
tute for  coU'ee  :  but  the  small  number  of  persons  who  made  the  expei  iment 
abandoned  it,  as  soon  as  it  became  easy  to  obtain  from  the  sea  ports  the 
coU'ee  of  the  West  Indies. 

The  wood  of  the  CoU'ee  Tree  is  very  compact  and  of  a  rosy  liuc.  The 
fineness  and  closeness  of  its  grain  fit  it  for  cabinet-making,  and  its  strength 
retiders  it  proper  for  building.  Like  the  Locust,  it  has  the  valuable  pro- 
perty of  rapidly  converting  its  sap  into  perfect  wood,  so  that  a  trunk  (>  inches 
in  diameter  has  only  G  lines  of  sap,  and  may  be  employed  almost  entire. 
These  qualities  recommend  it  for  propagation  in  the  forests  of  the  north  and 
of  the  centre  of  Europe. 

The  CoU'ee  Tree  was  sent  to  Franco  morn  than  fifty  years  since.  It 
thrives  in  the  environs  of  Paris,  where  there  are  trees  that  exceed  40  feet 
in  lieight ;  but  it  does  not  yield  fruit,  aiu^  is  multiplied  only  by  shoots  ob- 
tained by  digging  trenches  round  the  old  trees.  The  divided  roots  produce 
shoots  3  or  4  feet  long  the  iirst  year.  The  young  trees  are  sought  on 
account  of  their  beautiful  foliage,  for  the  embellishment  of  parks  and  pic- 
turesque gardens. 


PLATE    L. 

^1  brunch  with  Jlowcrs  of  the  natural  size.    Fig.  1,  JI  pod  of  the  natural  size. 
Fig.  2,  Jl  seed  of  the  natural  size. 

[The  Coffee  tree  thrives,  as  far  north  as  Massachusetts.  It  requires  a 
rich,  deep,  free  soil,  and  when  isolated,  spreads  over  a  large  space,  and  is 
extremely  beautiful.] 


K  N  D    OF     VOL.     I. 


